Be Diligent

2 Peter 3:14

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be DILIGENT that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

My friend Heather is often described as diligent.  Anything placed in her care gets attention to detail.  Her organizational skills leave me in awe, but she is so humble she fails to see just how gifted she is.

She is able to look at others using their giftedness, and appreciate their talents, but does not see her particular abilities as equally valuable.

One Thanksgiving, she organized a meal for over 550 people at our church. Everything from planning the meal, purchasing the groceries, and placement of tables in our gym was on her radar screen.  It wasn’t a random seating either.  Families were seated together so as folks invited their relatives to our church, seating numbers changed, and rearranging seemed to be a constant.

I tell you, I love to cook and plan events, but the thought of this one gave me a big headache.  I’ve shared with you on a previous segment how I was the Mashed Potato Queen at this event.  I made one thing in major quantity.

I know another diligent young woman.  Her name is Emily and literally means ‘Industrious’.  This is a synonym for diligence.  When I named her almost 23 years ago, I didn’t realize at the time that this was prophetic in nature.  She was born 2 days before Thanksgiving and the sad hospital turkey and dressing tasted pretty good to this new mom.

My daughter is away at college, and has an RA or Resident Assistant position this year for the first time.  This job requires room inspections, planning dorm events, working the reception desk, and dealing with the issues of a building full of people who get on each other’s nerves.

She spent much of her summer in preparation for this job which pays a small salary and provides free housing to the college students brave enough to tackle the challenge. I am proud of her!! 

She told me a 

fellow RA was in her room and she offered homemade pizza and something to drink.  Her friend commented on her hospitality and asked if she was Southern.

I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Emily’s favorite meal lately is anything she doesn’t have to cook herself so I will post an Apple Cranberry Bread that just suits this fall season. 

                                         Confectionately  Yours,

Sue

Note-Emily has since graduated from college & is now DILIGENT in the workforce. 

APPLE CRANBERRY BREAD

2 eggs                            
1/2 tsp. salt

1-1/4 c. sugar                
1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 T. vegetable oil          
1/4 c. pineapple juice

1-1/2 c. all purpose flour
2 c. tart apples, peeled & chopped

1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 c. fresh or frozen cranberries                
1 tsp. ground cinnamon    
1/2 c. walnuts

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs,sugar, and oil. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Add to egg mixture until just combined. 

Add pineapple juice and stir in the apples, cranberries and nuts. 

Spray an 8 in. x 4 in. loaf

pan coated with non-stick cooking spray. Bake at 350° oven for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. 

Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Yield: 1 loaf.

Note: This loaf freezes well and can also be baked in smaller individual loaf pans.

Decrease the baking time to 25-30 minutes, but test for doneness before time allowed and adjust baking time as needed. Wrap well in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag

for up to 2 months. Be sure to label and date your baked goods.