I've loved potatoes since I was myself a little spud (Ouch! I couldn't resist that! Should have!). Fried, baked, boiled, broiled, mashed, smashed, grilled, and any way but raw, I cherish the noble tuber (of course, I've never actually eaten them uncooked. Hmm...).
Recently, we discovered a new recipe that I'll include at the end of this culinary consideration (this is a "cafe" of sorts, you know). It's for "Home Fries," and perhaps the best I can say about the concoction is that in the week we've known about the recipe, we've prepared it at least 5 times. Of course, in this day when carbohydrates are frowned upon, some of you may hesitate at the possibility of potato perpetuality. I understand, and if this is the case with you, ignore the recipe. Hang with me, however, for the spiritual metaphor that follows (I will suggest that the recipe's call for red potatoes, a somewhat lower carb version of the root vegetable, mitigates at least a bit of the starch issue. Moreover, I'd suggest moderate portions for all of us).
Here's the analogy to matters spiritual. The sublime recipe is such a delight to us that it's made potatoes almost seem like a new product altogether. "Home Fries, where have you been all our lives?!" In similar manner, we should expect our Lord to grace us with a far greater newness and discovery throughout our earthly lifetime.
"Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an household, which bringeth forth things new and old" (Matthew 13:52).
"Behold, all things are become new" (II Corinthians 5:17).
I love these assurances concerning fresh explorations of God and His truth, provided throughout both a lifetime and an eternity. We should expect such progressively displayed illumination, even as the Psalmist declared, "The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18). Indeed, when first called to preach many years ago, I wondered how it would be possible to find adequate Biblical instruction and insight to prepare enough messages for whatever ministry God called me to fulfill. Now, I shudder as the clock races, and the realization of how little time remains to absorb and to communicate the Lord's infinite truth. Thank Him for eternity!
We shall never reach the end of God, and of the holy light that reveals Him to be wonderful because He is so infinitely full of wonder. As the poet of old beautifully depicted, "Shoreless Ocean, who can sound Thee? Thine own eternity is round Thee. Majesty Divine!" "Things new and old" promised the Lord Jesus. Thinking rightly of Him inevitably sows within us the seed of expectation, the ongoing fulfillment of which nurtures joyful anticipation for a harvest of newness that will forever thrill, fill, and fulfill us...
"But as it is written, Eye hath not see, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."
(I Corinthians 2:9-10)
The Recipe - Home Fries
1 pound or so red potatoes, sliced into 1/2 inch cubes
2 green onions, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
1 TLB butter (real butter, not the stuff whose chemical composition is but an atom or two from making it a form of plastic!)
1 TLB extra virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp dried rosemary
3/4 tsp dried thyme
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
In a boiler, cover potato cubes with cold water. Bring to a boil, and cook for 4 minutes.
Remove potatoes from pan into colander. Rinse with cold water.
In a nonstick saute pan (12 inch preferably, 10 will do), melt butter and oil on medium high heat. Add potatoes in a single layer. Toss or stir for 10-15 minutes, until golden.
Add seasonings, garlic, and green onions. Lower heat to medium, and cook for 2-3 minutes. If you'd like, you can finish the recipe with a tablespoon or two of melted butter. Go ahead, do it!
Give thanks.
Take the first bite.
Give thanks again.
Enjoy! "God... giveth us richly all things to enjoy" (I Timothy 6:17).
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