When I was young, fried potato sandwiches were a weekly special on the “Mom’s Kitchen” menu. It’s funny but, 25 years later, I can still remember the sizzle sound that those potatoes made when they hit the pan. I can still remember the way the buttery smell filled our tiny apartment. It was a smell that you could recognize immediately. And that first bite? Forget it. When you took that first bite, it was about as close to heaven on earth as we could imagine. I am salivating just thinking about it. Mmmmm. ;-). These are sweet memories.
Not only were fried potato sandwiches a delicious, quick, and simple way to feed three ravenous children, it was also inexpensive. And, if you’ve read any of my previous blog posts, you know that extravagant cuisine and dining out was a rare luxury.
It wasn’t because Mom didn’t work hard enough. (Believe me, there were many late nights spent in the conference room of her office with a friendly janitor named “Lefty” that would tell you otherwise). It was because Mom had no one to help her. Newly divorced and estranged from her parents, she toiled away day after day just to break even at the end of the month. Looking back now, the hand of God was everywhere.
But living between paychecks with bills to pay and growing children was hard. There were many times that she would open up the fridge to find that it only contained three staple items: potatoes, bread, and butter. So, what did she do? Instead of crumbling to the ground, sobbing over the things that we didn’t have — instead of feeling deflated and giving up — she whipped us up some fried potato sandwiches. And, truth be told, they were so good that we didn’t know the difference.
My family’s relationship is a lot like those fried potato sandwiches. To the outside world, it might not seem like much. But, when you have lived week to week, you learn very quickly not to take things for granted. So, to us, our life with nothing was one that we will remember and savor even more than those yummy fried potato sandwiches. Those years that we spent struggling against the currents weren’t for naught. Each of us walked away with important life lessons.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
Our relationship with God is a lot like those fried potato sandwiches too. When the rest of the world looks at a fried potato sandwich, they might think, “I don’t want that.” But that’s when we have to share God’s goodness with them and convince them to take a taste of the delicious sustenance that is Jesus!
During my childhood, fried potato sandwiches helped us survive physically. As an adult, God is the only sustenance that you will ever need. He will abolish your hunger, quench your thirst, and fill your cup to overflowing. He is the Bread of Life and the Living Water.
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35).
Will you take a taste? Please go to our “Lifesaver” page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer outlined there. You will experience a fullness like nothing you have ever known.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
Father, thank you for your provisions. Thank you for precious memories. Thank you for the poverty that you use and deliver us from, resulting in precious memories of yummy fried potato sandwiches… and so much more. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Luv Ya!
