They Cheered Him On As He Continued Down the Street…

“…that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
John 15:11

My boys watched vigilantly out the window of our living room. They chatted about Batman, matchbox car races, catching bugs, and the anticipation of riding big wheels later that afternoon.  

It was garbage day and this would be their perch until the sounds of the big truck rounded the corner. They would then immediately run into the front yard and cheer in delight as the large equipment anchored to the side of the truck lifted up our garbage can, emptied it, and returned it to the street in front of our home. The garbage man always indulged them with a quick honk from his cab and they cheered him on as he continued down the street until he was no longer in view.

Each week as the large overstuffed can was hauled to the curb, their excitement was intense. My only joy was the ability to begin- again my tasks with an empty can…

Their joy was simple, pure, and uncompromising… 

I can easily break this down to choice…

I didn’t teach them from a young age to love garbage… 

The experience in its entirety was born from my oldest son’s innocence and uncomplicated ability to see the good in life. 

Decades have since passed…

No one watches anymore from the picture window on garbage day.  As I hear the squeals from brakes and unmistakable signature sounds of the garbage truck nearing, sometimes, I’m awakened from a dead sleep, grab slippers, and race to get a forgotten can to the curb… On other, more organized mornings, I lay in bed remembering… 

I can choose joy. A joyful life comes from choosing Christ as the center. Doing so is simply my choice.

-JC

Spiced Apple Sundae Oatmeal Cookies

½ cup soft butter
½ cup butter-flavored Crisco
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cup quick oats
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cream butter, Crisco, and sugars with an electric mixer on medium high for 1 minute or until fluffy. Hand stir in eggs and vanilla extract; don’t over-mix. Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Add 2-3 Tablespoons more flour for high elevation. Scoop out approximately 12 large balls of dough.  Gently roll and flatten slightly.
(For a richer flavor and smoother texture refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.)  
Place dough balls onto greased individual baking dishes.  Bake at 375 degrees for 12+ min. Immediately scoop vanilla ice cream onto warm cookies. Top with Warm Spiced Apples and Caramel Sauce. (I like Smuckers Salted Caramel Sauce.)

Warm Spiced Apples
6 large apples, peeled and sliced
½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash of salt
Stir together sugar, spices, and salt. Evenly toss over the apples. Cook the apples over medium-high heat until tender crisp.