GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD
(Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff)

We have all heard the saying, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” This has been my experience this week. I don’t know how “tough” I am, but I have a feeling I am about to find out. Having not felt well for a number of weeks, I finally went to the doctor. He did an EKG. You know you are in trouble when your doctor says “oh-oh”. I said, “Is that a good oh-oh or a bad oh-oh.” He replied, “We have a new problem.”

He said, “you have A-Fib.” Not exactly the words I wanted to hear. He immediately sent me to my cardiologist who confirmed his suspicion. A-Fib (arterial fibrillation) a rapid and irregular heartbeat. They scheduled a Cardioversion (shocking the heart back into rhythm), along with a TEE (internal echocardiogram). This was done last Thursday. After shocking the heart three times, the procedure proved to be a failure.

Disappointing news to say the least. But, the doctor went on to explain because they had done the internal echo they discovered my Mitral-Valve was leaking more seriously than they realized, which caused the A-Fib, which meant I would need open heart surgery to repair/replace the valve.

As I lay digesting the news, I couldn’t help but smile as I contemplated the goodness of God, even in this difficult situation. Had I not been feeling well, I would never have gone to the doctor and we would never have discovered the real problem. My Mitral Valve Prolapse had taken a turn for the worse. God is so good!

In the next few weeks/months my faith is going to be tested. I have a feeling God is smiling as he says, “OK, Marilyn. Let’s see what you’re really made of. Let’s see if all your years of teaching My word to others will prove to be real in your own life.” I believe God is good and powerful; loving and kind; gracious and good; and is and always will be my Jehovah Rapha – my Healer. He continues to be the Great Physician, the Good Shepherd, my Savior, and this week it is my privilege to teach 20 moms for DVBS this truth about God. Yes, God is good. What I am about to experience is simply a “bump in the road” and bumps don’t hurt all that much!!

God’s word continues to be my source of strength, and my cry to him continues to be the words of Psalm 95:1-3, “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the GREAT GOD, the GREAT KING above all gods.”

So, friend, whatever trial you may be facing in your own life today; persevere. God is in control. He will walk the journey with you. You can trust Him!!

SLOW COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF

2 pounds beef stew meat
1 cup chopped onion
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of golden mushroom soup
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of onion soup
1 jar (6 ounces) Green Giant® sliced mushrooms, drained
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1 container (8 ounces) sour cream
6 cups hot cooked noodles or rice

1. 1 In 3 1/2- to 4 1/2-quart slow cooker, mix beef, onion, soups, mushrooms and pepper.
2. 2 Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 10 hours or until beef is very tender.
3. 3 Stir cream cheese into beef mixture until melted. Stir sour cream into beef mixture. Serve over noodles.