I recently heard one of my daughters tell someone; “You’re famous-er than Taylor Swift!” What a crazy thought! It got me thinking about fame and things in my life that are most important. How would I act if I were to spend a day with someone who I admired and who was most famous to me? Sometimes we like to imagine what it would be like to host a famous person for a day. How would we prepare? What would our house and farm look like if we were getting it ready for a visit from a queen? What kind of food would we prepare? What activities would we plan? How could we best show off God’s creation in our little bit of driftless beauty, or the wonder of dairy farming and its most delicious and nutritious produce?
If we would extend such great effort for someone who will forget us the moment they leave, why is it that we could put forth only small intentional effort for those who should mean the most to us and with whom we will someday share a gravestone?
There was a husband who read a book called “Grab Your Life by the Horns” and decided that this was the right path for him and he was going to start at home. When he walked into the house he declared to his wife that things were going to be different. He went on to say that he expected his food to be ready when he arrived, his coffee hot and paper by his chair when he woke up, his bath to be drawn, and a foot rub while he soaked. Then he arrogantly inquired, “And do you know who will be dressing me and combing my hair?” “I sure do,” she purred. “The undertaker will take care of that!”
My wife and I were on a walk through the rolling fields of our backyard when she told me, “It would be nice if you would ask me what I need.” It turns out that in 15 ½ years we still haven’t mastered that whole mind reading thing. When I assume that I am taking care of her, I will be doing nice things but if I ask her, I will be able to do those things that actually show that I care. It will be the difference between just doing things that are helpful and taking care of her and caring about her needs.
Can I tell you something absurd? I just found out that my wife loves flowers! I have occasionally bought flowers for Liz over the years, but I recently got such a reaction from them that I questioned her further about her opinion of flowers. She said that she loves them (surprise to nobody but me)! It turns out that I projected my idea of them onto her. I see them being a bit depressing as I watch them wilt, wither, and finally be tossed. Talk about a depreciating asset! I buy them and they get thrown away! And, in my defense, she said that when compared to other “languages of love” that she needs, flowers are much lower on the list so she has minimized them as well but they still bring her joy and feelings of being loved! Well that’s a win for me so, this ignorant husband has a “new” tool in the box for showing love.
This Valentine’s week you need to decide that your spouse will top your most famous person list. All the love you could pour onto a celebrity or sports star is completely and utterly meaningless and will never be noticed. While a little purposeful love and care for the one who will share your resting place will change both your life and theirs. To you, your spouse needs to be “famous-er”than Taylor Swift. And where do we get this love to share? It will be best shared from the one who lavishes love upon you. God the Father has lavished love on you! (1 John 3:1) Know and experience that and you will have plenty left to give.
Meet your farmer – Jonathan Gerdes. He and his wife run a farm-to-table raw milk dairy and farm airbnb in Caledonia, Minn. If he isn’t in the barn, you can find him dating his wife, playing with his kids, leading youth group, or flying in the sky. Visit gerdesfreshfarm.com for more info.
Baked Tortellini Alfredo with Mushrooms
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 (8-oz.) pkg. cremini mushrooms, sliced (4 cups sliced)
2 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tsp.)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 oz. Parmesan cheese, finely shredded (about 2 cups), divided
2 (8-oz.) pkg. refrigerated three-cheese tortellini (such as Buitoni), cooked according to package directions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Step 1. Preheat oven to broil with rack 8 inches from heat. Melt butter in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium. Add mushrooms in even layer, and cook, undisturbed, 4 minutes. Stir and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 2. Stir in cream and milk; bring to a simmer over medium, stirring occasionally. Cook, stirring often, until slightly thickened, about 8 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, nutmeg, and 1 ¾ cups of the Parmesan until smooth.
Step 3. Stir in cooked tortellini until coated. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup Parmesan. Broil in preheated oven until sauce is bubbly and cheese is light golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley.
Leave a Reply