Summer is definitely here! A number of clues have led me to this conclusion. One, the mosquitos seek to devour me whenever I walk out into the back yard, even if just long enough to feed our sweet old dog, Bear. Two, it is so hot the air conditioner in our little rented house never takes a break and my mascara starts to run when I go out to the street to fetch the mail. Three, the kids on my street have that relaxed look that means no homework! And the clue that clinches it all is that our church is having Vacation Bible School. Oh, I love VBS! I can't remember ever being TOO young for VBS, and I'm pretty sure I participated as a youth all the way through high school.
I have many memories associated with this annual church ritual. I remember gathering on the church steps every morning to process in for our opening chapel time. In the little country church where I grew up, the processional was one of my favorite parts. We would all gather on the front steps with our individual classes and teacher. Some lucky kids would be chosen to lead the processional, one carrying the American flag, one carrying the Christian flag, and at the very front of everything would be the person who would carry the large Bible that usually resided on the pulpit. A processional hymn had been chosen with a catchy cadence, something like "Onward Christian Soldiers." At the appointed time, we would all sing together and march into the sanctuary, standing proudly and importantly together as we pledged allegiance to the Bible and the two flags.
Of course there were Bible stories to be learned, verses to be memorized, crafts to be made and songs to be learned. There were snacks, too, every day! Snack time didn't get too crazy, but butter cookies and Koolaid made regular appearances, with celebratory hot dogs served on our final day. All these memories are comforting and warm and if I think about them for very long, I feel as if I'm right back there in the midst of it all. But probably the most important thing that ever happened at Vacation Bible School occurred the summer of 1970 between fourth and fifth grades. It was then that I committed my life to Jesus Christ.
I had already been experiencing an emotional tug in worship services that I couldn't explain. At the end of the service when our pastor would emphasize the importance of making a personal commitment to Christ, my heart would start thumping wildly. I knew he was talking to me! But it was so scary to think about acknowledging that prompting publicly in the worship service. I didn't know what to do, so I just waited. And then one morning during Bible school, our pastor came into our class to talk to us. He explained in very simple terms the meaning of grace. I remember he had one young man come up to the front and offered him a dollar bill. The pastor emphasized how the young man had to make a choice to TAKE what was being offered to him. And what a pity it would be if the dollar bill was just refused! My heart started that crazy, thumping thing again, and I knew, AGAIN, that someone was talking to me. But it seemed distinctly to me that it was not just the pastor's words making my heart beat so wildly, but someone outside, other, higher, greater. So when the pastor prayed and asked us to acknowledge whether or not Christ was speaking to us, my hand shot up of its own volition. That moment was important! I mark that day as the beginning of ME taking responsibility for MY choices concerning faith. Of course, as I grew older and went through teenage angst and young adult confusion, I made MANY poor choices along the way that didn't give credence to my desire to be a Christian, but I have come back to that foundational decision time and time again as I have grown and matured. Personal faith is process-oriented, and I suppose it only comes to its full fruition at death. I'm not sure we can always label the very beginning of the journey either, but that day in VBS provides a pivotal marker for me along the path.
So, it is VBS time again. Children will be drawn to church who may never be there on any other occasion. They will hear strange and new stories about people long ago who made amazing discoveries about God and Jesus, ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives as they made the leap of faith to follow God's leading and Christ's example. Some may experience a strange fluttering in their hearts that can't be explained in human terms. God will be moving! I pray for the teachers who give their time, for the church leaders who orchestrate all the pieces into a cohesive whole, and for the little ears and open hearts waiting to hear and receive. May seeds be planted this week that will provide a rudder of faith for young boys and girls as they walk the pathway toward adulthood.
My own humble offering for VBS this week was to make pimento cheese sandwiches for the last day's luncheon. I guess hot dogs aren't so much the thing any more. Nothing is easier to make or better to eat than homemade pimento cheese. Here is a recipe you might use. Please feel free to improvise as your own personal taste guides you.
Perfect Pimento Cheese
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese
8 oz. monterey jack cheese
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped pimento, drained
salt and pepper to taste
For this recipe, avoid the pre-shredded cheese. Buy the block and grate your own. The bagged grated cheese has fillers to keep it from sticking together. We want this cheese to be creamy, and it won't get there in the same way unless you grate your own. That said, grate the cheese by hand or in a food processor. If you use a hand-held grater, rejoice at the firm biceps you are building as you create this not-so-healthy cheese spread! When done, put the cheeses in a large bowl, add the mayonnaise (good quality, Duke's or Hellmann's, don't scrimp here--pimento cheese is not supposed to be a health food) and pimento, salt and pepper. Mix until the mayonnaise is well incorporated and the mixture is somewhat creamy. There are a few things you can add at the same time you add the pimento if you so desire. A dash of worcestershire will make it a little smoky. Some people like a dash of garlic powder, but be careful as a little goes a long way, and what tastes like a little when you initially add it grows into something much more menacing after refrigerating for a day. If you like a little heat, toss in a dash of cayenne pepper or a little hot sauce (i.e. Tabasco, Louisiana, Crystal, Texas Pete.) I am a pimento cheese purist, myself and eschew these other additives. Obviously, this requires refrigeration, but you want it to be softened a little if you are going to make sandwiches so it doesn't tear the bread. We were encouraged to make sandwiches and cut them into quarters so little hands could grasp the crust edge and get just the good stuff inside.
No comments:
Post a Comment