Black-eyed Peas
Cold weather calls for warm comfort foods. While I was growing up, the New Year’s habit in my family was to include the Southern tradition of black-eyed peas. Presumably this legume would ensure good luck in the coming months. Although we did not claim to be superstitious, it was a fun excuse to have black-eyed peas, “just in case.”
While I enjoy black-eyed peas, a few years ago I decided to give up on them. Superstition or not, the previous year had ended terribly for me, so discarding them seemed a good option, again, “just in case.”
This year we enjoyed yellow cornbread baked in a cast iron pan, accompanied with sliced ham and green beans. That’s about as traditional of a Southern New Year’s menu I was willing to serve.
In the Old Testament, Job 23:10 says, “The Lord knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”
In the New Testament, Romans 8:28 gives this promise to those who are committed to the Lord through Jesus Christ: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
I am learning to rely on the Lord with both my good and bad experiences because He is in charge, and He knows how best to refine me for His purposes. With that in mind, regarding the black-eyed peas, I’ll probably add them to my menu next January 1st!
