Friends and Fried Green tomatoes...

It's been many days since I last visited my blog. Life has been some what filled with surprises that are not so pleasant for the last few weeks.  But they are behind me so to say.  God is good. All the time! I may share those unpleasant surprises some day but not today. As I look at some old pictures in my iphoto today I came upon this picture which reminds me of two of my very good friends.  Please read on....

Fried Green Tomato:
Ingredients: Green tomatoes, oil, water and a box of tempura or a box of batter made for frying vegetables.
Instruction:  Dip sliced green tomatoes in the batter. Fry them in hot oil till they are golden brown. Eat them right away.

I first tasted fried green tomatoes in Columbus Ohio where I served for the first time as an ordain minister as an associate pastor at Overbrook Presbyterian Church.  I made this dish for the first time at my friend Matthew Wilson's house with the green tomatoes from his own garden.  We made a royal mess in their kitchen but the friend green tomatoes were most delicious!  I think of that often in the summer each year.  Friends are so very dear to me.  Matthew and I worked together along with Brian and some one else in youth ministry of the presbytery.  We had much fun and the youth had even more fun.

After moving to Louisville one day I was taken to the "Goose Creek Diner" by Ruth Heishman. Ruth and I had serve communion to the home bound members that day and i was very hungry. She apologetically said, "It's not fancy but there is a diner near by" so she took me there. There I found out that they have "Fried Green Tomatoes" every day.  Well, needless to say every time I ate there I ordered it as a side dish. This diner became one of my favorite eating places in Louisville. Some how Fried Green Tomao became one of my all time favorite food as well.  You know why?  Fried Green Tomatoes remind me of good friends who are gifts from God, without whom I will never become who I am today. proverbs 27:17 says "Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another."

Yap. That's what Matthew and Ruth had done for me.  Among many, these two friends had sharpened my iron and helped me become who I am.  Every time I eat this dish and as I write this post I remember and give thanks to God for my friends Matthew and Ruth.