I have noticed myself doing this with the Bible. Deep down I find myself yearning for it, but there's also a part of me that finds the more I get into it, the more I want to pull back. It's frustrating. And annoying. It makes me want to pull out my hair. It turns something that should be a joy into a fight. A fight that I don't always win.
I think I know why, though. Hebrews 4:12-13 says:
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Those words from Scripture are intimidating. Who really wants to be "laid bare" in front of the eyes of the Creator? Who wants their negative thoughts and selfish intentions known? Certainly not me!
If this passage ended there, I think we would all pack up and go home. Even the best of us have major darkness that we don't want anyone to see. But the passage doesn't want to leave us despairing.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14–16.
We are not alone in our weakness. We have a Savior who has walked through temptation before us and won. He doesn't judge us for weakness. Instead, He asks us to draw near to Him, even as our shortcomings make us want to run away.
I know we're into March now, but my new resolution is this: Draw near to Jesus. Cling to Him. And memorize Hebrews 6:18b-20a:
...so that... we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us....
Jesus- the hope set before us- is an anchor for our soul. But not the kind that makes us feel stuck and held against our will. No, this is the kind that you hold fast to in the worst of life's storms. The kind that, if we can find the courage to, we can "take hold of" and cling to. Our Anchor keeps us grounded and close, even when we want to pull away.
So what does this have do do with soup? Like I said, my toddler is a typical toddler who loves something one moment and then hates it the next. But, completely by accident, I made a soup that he would eat every day, all day if I offered it (at least so far).
Picky Eaters' Healthy Chicken Potato Soup
- 1 package of chicken thighs, between 2 and 3 lbs (you can use breast, but thighs tend to dry out less)
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 1 medium onion or 1/2 large onion, diced
- 2 large carrots or 3 medium carrots, diced
- 3 cloves of minced garlic
- 2 tsp of dried thyme
- 1 tsp of dried parsley
- 1-2 tsp of dried sage
- 3-4 medium potatoes, cubed (per your preference)
- 4 cups of chicken stock
- 1 cube of chicken bullion (to boost the flavor)
- 1/3 packet or more of unflavored gelatin (to add some additional collagen and body)
- 1/2 to 1 cup of heavy cream (leave out if going dairy free)
- Optional additions: cauliflower rice, cubed butternut squash
- Sea salt to taste
Add the olive oil to the pan, heat on medium high for several minutes before adding the chicken thighs (lightly salted). Brown on both sides, about 7 minutes per side and then set aside. Turn down the heat to medium and add in your celery, onion, and carrots (and salt if desired/not feeding to a baby/young toddler). Scrape the bottom of the pan and sweat the veggies until onions are turning translucent and the carrots start to have a little give to them. Add the spices- garlic, thyme, parsley, and sage- and cook for 60 additional seconds or more to release the flavors. Add the cubed potatoes (salt again if desired/not concerned about child's salt intake), stir. Combine 1 cup of chicken stock with the bullion cube and gelatine, blend together, and pour into pot. Add the rest of the stock. Add the chicken and any juices back in and cook for 10 minutes or so until the potatoes are cooked through. Remove the chicken, cool until cool enough to cut into small chunks. Remove 2 cups of soup (include the chunky items) into a separate container, add the cream, and blend until smooth. Return the blended soup and chunked chicken to the pot and combine. Taste and salt (if needed). Remove from heat and serve once cool enough for child to eat. (The optional additions can be added at the same time as the potatoes.)
You may have noticed that salt is added throughout making this dish. I find that it produces the best flavor. But if you are trying to watch your salt intake or are cooking for a little one, you may want to add salt only to the chicken and whatever is present in the bullion cube.
If you decide to try this recipe, let me know! Did your picky toddler love it or was it a complete miss? I'd love to hear your thoughts on how I can improve on this dish.
God Bless
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