My 22-year-old son recently broke up with his girlfriend, his first real love. They have been together quite some time and he dearly loves her. Their relationship has been a good one, marked by a regular share of disagreements. So he is kind of down in the dumps.
This is a significant event in his life, one that has required me to offer encouragement and prayer directed at him with love and I hope, some wisdom. I lost my first love in much the same way as he has. She is the one who broke up and in my case, at least, it was because of another guy.
So, here is what I have shared with him: The things that he and his girlfriend shared were very special and should always be celebrated and kept close, even embraced. Those memories will always be with you, I said. And I do mean forever. And we all know that makes the feelings more intense, even hurtful at our most fragile moments, like breaking up and moving apart.
But it is through this pain and hurt that God crafts His work. He uses these moments, these significant events, to mold us and shape us into better people. Times like these can either consume us with bitterness or fill our hearts with gladness in the long run.
I dated my first 'real' girlfriend three years in high school, forever! They were great years and we created a lot of terrific memories and I thought we would eventually marry, but it was not to be and that broke my heart. I was beside myself with pain and hurt but when I look back, I am amazed at the growth of my maturity as a result of that.
Haven't we all had major losses? What has been your experience?
I always try to do something nice for myself when upheaval and loss come for a visit. A nice massage, long walks, a milkshake, a favorite meal, talking with friends, anything to get my mind away from the darkness of my hurt and pain. And as I have grown older I realize that yes, there is life on the other side as we emerge from our gloom. This wisdom has helped me quite a bit.
Anyway, it is spring, almost, so I have a wonderful recipe to share with you.
Crispy and Tender Baked Chicken Thighs
You will need:
cooking spray
6-8 bone-in chicken thighs with skin
garlic salt
dried oregano
ground thyme
paprika
ground black pepper
cayenne pepper
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Spray baking dish with cooking spray
Place chicken thighs in baking dish
Sprinkle spices over chicken for full coverage. Don't overwhelm the chicken but go for good coverage
Lightly spray each thigh with the cooking spray
Place in oven and bake for 35 minutes - then remove and drain grease - return to oven for another 25 minutes. Watch carefully toward the end to prevent burning. An instant-read thermometer should read at least 165 degrees when inserted near the bone of the thigh.
Serve with green beans, rolls, and brown rice.
Enjoy!
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