'Verses and Vittles': The house on the hill
By Ruby Hicks
Published in News on September 14, 2016 11:57 AM
"In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you." -- John 14:2
I grew up in what we call the big house. Right across the road in front of our house was a path that went to a house on a hill.
I always loved that house and thought one day I would love to live there. A small cornfield was on one side (that's where the plums were), the other side was corn, tobacco or whatever was planted each year. (That's where the pear tree was). In the back was a barn, and behind the barn was where the peanuts were planted. In front between the house and the road was the "tater patch."
I promised myself that if I ever owned that place I was going to live there. As it turned out, by the time I inherited it, the house was unlivable, and the barn was getting in bad shape, so I ended up selling it.
To this day, I dream about that house on the hill. Always in my dreams I am living there and I am so happy, then I wake up and I know right off that I am right where God wants me to be.
I love where I live now, and I would not want to be anywhere else. If I had not been here, then I would not have had my neighbor Ms. Hazel, whom I loved with all my heart as my best friend and her family for my extended family. I have wonderful neighbors, and I feel safe here.
God knows best, and I am sure of that. While I was dreaming of the house on the hill, He could see into the future, and He made arrangements for me to be where I am today. That's how our Lord and Savior works; He wants what is best for us all of the time. If you will follow Him and follow His instructions, you will end up in the perfect place.
It is OK to dream about other places, but we should also be thankful for where we are. Plant your roots and stay there. If God does not want you there, then He will place you right where He wants you, and He will do what is best for you and your family always.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for our homes, and thank you for good dreams. Thank you for always looking out for us, and thank you for loving us so much. Amen.
Thought for the day: You can have a dream house, but be thankful for the one you have.
Prayer focus: Homeless people
Recipe: Autumn apple muffins, by the Rev. David Pate
1 1/4 cups unbleached flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
2 tbsp. water
3/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup finely chopped apple
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper liners. Stir together flour, baking powder, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg and set aside. In another bowl combine oil, eggs and water. Gradually add the honey and beat until thoroughly combined. Add the vanilla and gradually begin adding the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in the apple and spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin tins. Fill the cups 3/4 full. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until cooked through. Servings: 14
Ruby Hicks is the widow of James W. Hicks. The couple formerly pastored Rones Chapel and Bethel churches. Mrs. Hicks now lives in Goldsboro.