When all my kids were little, life was hard. Wait, what am I saying? Life is still hard, as everyone can attest to. But, it was hard in a different way than it is now because there were a bunch of little kids running around and I was always either pregnant or nursing. I was lucky to get dinner on the table every night. Gourmet meals were definitely not on the menu because, you know, ain't nobody got time for that. Brain fog was my friend, too. That's why I was so thankful that, especially during that time, I was being led by the Holy Spirit in both simple and profound ways. Sometimes, when life is hard, you just need God to remind you to buy a can of peas.
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The dish pictured above is a long-time family favorite that we've affectionately called "tuna soup". Don't get me wrong. It isn't a family favorite because anyone likes it; it's a family favorite because it's easy to make, is cheap and works great on meatless Fridays.
The recipe is simple.
- 2 -3 cans of tuna, drained
- 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can of milk (just use the soup can)
- 1 can of peas, drained
Mix that all together and bake it at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on it and bake for 5 minutes more. Serve over elbow noodles. (As a bonus, here's another easy but good recipe for tuna casserole.)
See what I mean? Simple and cheap. It is crucial, however, for me to have that can of peas in there to add some texture. Otherwise it really is like soup and I have a hard time eating it
A Particularly Rough Patch
There was a stretch when I was pregnant and had a handful of little kids already that I was going through a hard time. I was stressed (probably because I wasn't taking care of myself) and was having a really hard time remembering things.
At that time, money was tight, so we ate our tuna soup often. The last few times I had made it, I had forgotten to buy a can of peas and had to choke it down. This would get me so upset (think pregnant hormones).
Well, it was on the menu again when I headed out to the grocery store. I was destined to repeat the same mistake because a can of peas was not on my grocery list that week. It was going to be another teary-eyed tuna soup night.
And a Little Child Shall Remind Them
I was in the canned vegetable aisle, buying things other than peas, when up beside me walks this little girl. Her mom was in the aisle, too, and I heard her say to her mom, "Mom, what are you doing? Oh, yeah, that's right. You're buying a can of peas because you like to have them in your tuna casserole." And she walked away.
To say I was stunned was an understatement. My pregnancy hormones got the better of me and I started to cry. I couldn't believe that God loved me so much that He sent the Holy Spirit, and my Guardian Angel in the form of that little girl, to remind me to buy a can of peas.
I immediately looked around for the mom and the girl and both of them were gone. Like, eerily gone. I wiped my eyes, got my can of peas and went on my way, feeling a lot lighter than I had when I had entered the store.
Let Yourself be Led by the Holy Spirit
That event happened years ago, yet I remember it like it was yesterday. That, in and of itself, is a major accomplishment since I can't remember what happened last week!
In his homily yesterday, Father talked about the Holy Spirit and how important it is to let yourself be led by Him. The Apostles learned how and did amazing things. Like the Apostles, God loves you so much that He will send the Spirit into your life to guide you and prompt you. Even in very small matters.
The important thing is that you have a good prayer life so that you can recognize these promptings and respond to them.
Share a Holy Spirit moment with us, here. I love to hear about these type of moments!