Give thanks with pumpkin pie squares
Asalways, Thanksgivinghas away of getting minds geared toward thingswe’re thankful for. This year is no different, yet things just aren’t the same anymore. Muchhashappened in the past year. For as long as I remember, I was impressed with the idea of making a list of things I’m grateful for; now, as I contemplate on another Thanksgivingroundingthecorner, I feel like Imay be shifting some gears. As a little girl at school, my lists included food, shelter, friends, and the likes.
Now I think of a young girl in our communitywho ismy age, withwhomI spentmany happyhoursduringchildhood days, who is nowfighting cancer. Famous Covid has given the entire globe a scare and createdamajorturn ofevents. Thenthere’s all theunrestand political trauma. Iwonder just what it would be like not to have a safe, secure country to live in? What would it be like to have our nation shaken to where we would no longer have all these comforts?
I stop and ask myself, “Really, where is my security?” If it’s in these items on my thankful chart, what if all these things near and dear to mewouldsomedaybeatstake?
I then look to my Savior, as if looking into His eyes. I see peace. I see rest. Truly a rest that nothing can ever disturb. Then I know what it is that I really am thankful for this Thanksgiving. I thank God for the solid, unchanging gift of Jesus and His love and provision for allwho set their hearts on Him. Meanwhile, I’m oh so thankful for friends, family, home-cooked meals, a house to provide shelter, knowing that all these things really are a gift that I do not deserve.
I cherishmy dear husband and the six precious children He has given us. Yet, by His grace, I give them all back to Him, only to find out that in His hands, they really are so much safer than in my desperate grasp.
WhenI asked nine-year-old Julia what she is thankful for this Thanksgiving season, she responded, “For Jesus who died for us, and aDaddywho workshard, sowehavemoney tobuythingsweneed, andalso for a good mom and daddy, and brothers and sisters. Austin says he’s thankful for his babybrother, Joshua. Myheart meltedwhenHosanna looked at me with shining eyes and stated that she is thankful for hermother.(Oh, maythegood Lord finalize the adoption in His good time!)
This year we were excited along with our children to make a trip to Danville, Ohio, to spend time with Daniel’s parentsandsiblings, including his sister Mary who so richly blessed us with her help after Joshua’s birth. Now it’s all at stake. Whoknowswhatall will happen with lockdowns, and what is considered safe and unsafe by then? No doubt, it would cost tears from our little ones to not get to seeMary. Even though it does not seem fair for the children, itwould provide an opportunity for themto simply surrender and be content with what cannot be changed.
Whether at home or away Pumpkin Pie Squares will be a treat for Thanksgiving!
PUMPKINPIESQUARES
CRUST:
½ cupbutter, softened ½ cupbrownsugar ½ cuprolledoats 1cupall-purposeflour FILLING:
2eggs
¾ cupwhitesugar 1 (15-ounce) canpumpkin 1 (12-fluidounce) can
evaporatedmilk ½ teaspoonsalt 1 teaspoonground
cinnamon ½ teaspoongroundginger
(opt.) ¼ teaspoongroundcloves
(opt.) ¼ teaspoonground
nutmeg(opt.)
CRUMBS: ½ cupbrownsugar 2tablespoonsbutter, softened Mixtogetherbutterand brownsugarthenmixin flourandtheoats tomake anoatmealcrumblecrust to press insidea9×13inchbaking dish. Bakeit intheovenat350 for 15minutes.
Whilethecrust isbaking, preparethefilling ingredients. Inalargebowl,beateggsand mixinwhitesugar. Beat in pumpkinandevaporatedmilk (Iuseourownfreshmilk.). Mix in salt, cinnamon, gingerand cloves.Whencrust isfinished baking, pouroverhot crust.
Nowmixcrumbingredients, andsprinkleoverfilling. Return totheovenandbakean additional20minutes, until set.
Letcoolbeforecutting into squares. Ifdesired, servewith adabofwhippedtoppingon eachpiece.