What I Learned from Splattered Marinara…

Happy Sunday, everyone!  I’ve really missed our time together this past week. It’s been a busy week at work and home for me, and frankly, I’ve been waiting for God to tell me what he wanted me to share with you.  Each day I pray for God to lay on my heart what he wants everyone to hear and it happened tonight..over spilled and splattered marinara.

Let me explain…I’m a neat freak.  I hate messes. Some people would say I’m OCD..and I would not argue.  Messes overwhelm me.  That’s one reason I love spring cleaning…a time set aside just for organizing, cleaning and decluttering. An OCD girl’s dream!  So, back to my mess tonight.  I’ve been feeling bad all day with an awful sinus headache. Aside from doing a little laundry, I haven’t accomplished nearly what I set out to do today.

Dinner time came and I had no energy to make an elaborate meal. The thing I love about homemaking–and our goal at Interior Inspirations– is that every woman realizes that she can excel in taking care of her family.  Meals, for example, don’t have to be fancy.  Homemaking is about using what you have, having a joyful heart, and being creative, especially when it comes to feeding your family.

So, what did this tired mama do? I just started pulling stuff out of the pantry and fridge–angel hair pasta, sliced zuchini squash in a container from the Kroger produce department, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, chopped garlic and tubs of pesto and marinara.  I was thinking to myself, this is going to be such a tasty and light spring dinner and I can share the recipe on the II page.

But in my hurry to get this meal on the table, I grabbed the plastic tub of marinara by the lid and it slipped through my fingers. Marinara went everywhere…all in the unreachable nooks and crannies of the fridge. And then my phone started ringing.  My first thought was  “why now? I’m tired and hungry and I’ve got angel hair pasta boiling on the stove. And WHO is calling me at the most inopportuned time?”

Just when I wanted to sit in the floor and cry (because remember…I hate a mess…especially an oily, red, marinara mess), God stirred in my heart and I started laughing. In case you didn’t know, our wonderful God has quite the sense of humor.

And these gentle words stirred in me, “Life is messy, Sara. That’s why I’m here.”

Y’all…how simple yet so powerful!  All day I’ve been feeling weak, unaccomplished and like I have to carry the weight of this world on my own.  In one second of splattered marinara, I realized that HE carries that weight for us. I thank God for teachable moments like this. I thank God for reminding me that when I’m scrolling through Facebook at everyone’s perfect moments that life isn’t always picture perfect.  Most of all, I thank HIM for loving me the way HE does. And you know what, HE loves you too. And by the way, the pasta turned out amazing…minus a little marinara.

Love and Blessings,

Sara

Veggie Pesto Pasta

-Half a box of Barilla angel hair pasta, boiled with olive oil and salt al dente
-Zuchini squash, sliced (I bought already sliced from grocery)
-Any other sliced fresh veggies of your choice
-One plastic container of pesto (deli/Italian section of grocery)
-One plastic container of marinara sauce (also deli/Italian section)
-One clove fresh chopped garlic (I use from a jar)
-Fresh grated Parmesan cheese or can Parmesan to taste
-Tablespoon Italian seasoning

While your pasta is cooking, saute your zuchini and other veggies in a pan with olive or grapeseed oil and a clove of chopped garlic. Add your pesto and marinara once garlic has softened and toss. Add a Tablespoon of Italian or spaghetti seasoning and salt and pepper to taste. Once pasta is ready (should only take 5-6 minutes), add your hot pasta to your saute pan of sauce and veggies and toss well. Top with Parmesan cheese.