Anyone operating in the electronic world is familiar with the reset button. To some, like gamers, it’s intentional—a do-over, chalking up lessons learned and mistakes made. To others, it’s quite unplanned—as in the program/device froze up, and…hopefully…you haven’t lost hours of work.
Many hope January brings a reset to 2020, which was overflowing with “unplanned” challenges.The God of the universe probably doesn’t conform so neatly to our meager calendar. One thing is certain, though. Scripture is full of resets—too many to recount here, but below are a few examples.
The exit from the garden; Noah and the great flood; Israel…Israel…Israel (slow learners, lol); Jonah and the great fish; Job and his great trials; the calling of the twelve; the woman at the well; the Resurrection; the conversion of Paul; the Second Coming…and so many more.
I don’t know the timing, but I do believe a reset is coming for whatever personal and unique challenges each of us face. Christ came to earth, endured suffering to the point of the greatest reset, then assured us he would never leave or forsake us. Ponder a few words of encouragement of David, a reset veteran, from Psalm 40.
I waited and waited and waited for GOD. At last he looked; finally he listened.He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to GOD.
Charred Red Cabbage and Carrot Salad
Ingredients 2 Tbs vegetable oil, divided 2 1/2 lbs red cabbage – halved, cored, and cut into 1-inch slices 1/2 red onion, thickly sliced 2 large carrots 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste 1 tsp garam masala or curry powder 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
One Pot Creamy Ground Beef and Orzo
Ingredients 1 Tbs oil 10 oz lean ground beef 1 small onion 3 cloves garlic, minced, or more to taste 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 3/4 cup orzo 3 cups prepared marinara sauce 1/2 cup water 1 cup half-and-half, divided 3 Tbs mascarpone cheese
Creamy Smoked Salmon Pasta
Ingredients 1 (16 oz) pkg penne pasta 6 Tbs butter ½ onion, finely chopped 2 Tbs all-purpose flour 2 tsp garlic powder 2 cups skim milk ½ cup grated Romano cheese 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed and drained ½ cup canned mushrooms, drained 10 oz smoked salmon, chopped