"T" is for Truth and Trust . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

"T" is for Truth and Trust . . . originally just 'truth,' but I've felt the need to include 'trust' here as well. "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you" Matthew 7:12a NIV ('The Golden Rule').

 

Children are, or should be, taught to always tell the truth by their parents, grandparents, teachers and other adults in their lives. On the other hand, children trust that their parents and other adults in their lives will tell them the truth and to take care of them. But telling the truth and trusting isn't just for children OR while we're children . . . these are life lessons that we all need to follow each and every day.

 

In thinking about truth the Quaker Testimony of Integrity comes to mind. Believing that one must be truthful in their words and deeds to everyone, all the time, including being truthful to ourselves and to God. Friends have had the reputation for being honest and fair in dealing with others, avoiding direct lies or misleading others and avoiding the use of words that are technically truthful. One application of this is in court - where Friends will 'affirm' to tell the truth rather than 'swearing' to tell the truth.

 

If one is truthful, then one would/should also be considered trustworthy . . . BUT if one is caught in or known to tell lies, whether about others or themselves, they then become untrustworthy. If you tell just one small lie or untruth, others will begin to question everything that you've said or say.

 

I could now insert several stories here about times when those around me have not told the truth about a situation, another individual or group or about me - yeah, that's happened more times than I care to think about. Those stories along with others about those I can't/don't trust . . . most due to the fact that they've been untruthful to/around me and others who have at some point proven themselves untrustworthy to me. But what good would that do? Not much, at least not here. I've let that all go.

In the last five weeks I have attended three weddings, and it was the brides in each case that I knew. The first was that of my oldest daughter on August 31st; the second was the next weekend on September 6th, the bride being the youngest daughter of a Girl Scout friend that I've know for over 14 years; and the third was my sister-in-laws, yesterday afternoon. This morning, as I drove to Meeting for Worship, the thought came to me that we must be truthful and trustworthy in all of our relationships, including our marriages . . . without truth and trust they are sure to fail.

 

There are many reasons/excuses given for not telling the truth none of which make good. I can look back on some of the larger lies; yes I'm going to use that word here, told about me to other individuals or groups. The person or group who told the lie/lies about me did it because they felt threatened by me, yeah threatened by me . . . and they all did it for personal gain. Really quite sad when you stop to think about it.

 

Not telling the truth about something or someone doesn't seem like a big deal to some, but it always hurts someone . . . and sometimes that hurt goes deep and is difficult to get past.

 

Matthew 7:1-5, in my Bible, is under the heading of 'Judging Others.' and says: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye and then you will see clearly how to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

 

Truth and trust are choices that we make each and every day of our lives. Being untruthful for whatever reason is wrong, including for self-gain.

What choices are you facing today? What factors make those choices difficult? How is God asking you to trust Him today? Will you obey Him? What do you want your reputation to be?

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Time now for some "T" recipes! First Tater Tot Casserole - a real hit with my family and a recipe that I've modified a bit. The second one is Texas Peanut Butter Sheet Cake . . . I just love peanut butter! Trying to figure out how to modify this one . . . need to add some chocolate to it! OK, so you have a complete dinner here!

 

Tater Tot Casserole
(serves 6)

1 pound ground beef

2 cups instant rice (before cooking)
1 Tablespoon onion flakes

1 can cream of chicken soup (or any creamed soup)

8 ounces shredded cheese - mild cheddar or casserole cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (15 ounce) can French style green beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
salt & pepper to taste

32 ounces frozen tater tots

 

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch glass baking dish.

 

Brown ground beef and onion; drain. Cook rice according to package directions stir in soup, sour cream, salt & pepper.

Spread half of the rice mixture on bottom of the baking dish. Crumble ground beef on top; top with corn. Layer remaining rice mixture on top and top with green beans. Sprinkle cheese over top. Spread layer of tater tots on top of cheese - beginning around outer edge of dish, line tater tots end to end; keep repeating rounds of tater tots until entire top of casserole is covered.
 

Bake 20 minutes.

 

 

Texas Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter

1 cup water

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup buttermilk

Peanut Butter Icing:

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk

1 (16-oz.) pkg. powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking soda in a large bowl; set aside. Combine butter, water and peanut butter in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Add to flour mixture and mix well; set aside. Combine eggs, vanilla and buttermilk; add to peanut butter mixture.

Spread batter in a greased 15"x10" jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 28 minutes or until cake springs back when gently touched. Spread Peanut Butter Icing over warm cake and garnish, if desired.

Peanut Butter Icing: Combine first 3 ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; stir in powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until spreading consistency.