I am making apple butter. I pace between my cast iron pot full of gently bubbling, copper colored puree’ and my computer, enjoying the silence the wee hours of the night offer to me. My mind drifts between shopping lists and prayers and everything in between, but most times it seems to focus on apple butter and my children.
Tonight I am preoccupied with how my children - my fruits - are faring in the world. Are they doing well enough in school? Are they growing in holiness? Where have I failed them and what legacies will I leave to them? Will Our Lord see them as fruits of my labor? Or will they grow up to be spiritually sterile?
Yes, things get pretty profound in my home at 2:00am. But when else do I have the time to actually think these things through?
I stir the apple butter, and my mind turns to how it has come to be. I brought the apples home. Washed, peeled and sliced them, removed the pit, and finely chopped them almost to a pulp. And although they were plenty sweet on their own, I added sugar in case they took on a slightly bitter taste as they simmered. Cinnamon, ginger and cloves mingled in their juices, turning the light sunny pulp into vivid liquid copper.
The fire was intense at first, to bring the juices to a boil, steaming off the water and intensifying the flavors hidden within. But then I turn it down and let it simmer. I stir it from time to time, to keep the bottom layer from scorching and to continue to release more steam. Hours pass. I remain close to the stove, watching for signs of thickening or scorching, and test it from time to time to see if I should season it a little more.
And it suddenly hits me. Motherhood is rather like making apple butter, is it not? It is not enough for us to simply be fruitful and multiply. We need to take these fruits - our children - and over the years apply generous amounts of both love and discipline, sugar and heat, to bring out that which most resembles God within them. We simmer them for many years, stirring and seasoning them until they are ready to stand firmly on their own, preserving the faith in them for yet another generation to relish.
Almost through now. Most of the water has evaporated off, and the spices are perfectly infused. I scoop up a spoonful of fruit. Does it keep its form and stand tall, or does it ooze off the sides and conform to the concave shape of the ladle? If I have done my job right, the apple butter will be sweet and smooth as silk but thick enough to retain its shape if mounded on the spoon.
Success! I measure out the apple butter, dispersing it among half a dozen jelly jars. All my preparations have led me up to this moment, and I have reached the point where I must let go. I gently lower them into the boiling water canner and close the lid. Will the jars crack? Will they leak or take on the viciously boiling water surrounding them? Or will they, tried by fire, continue to be purified – perfected?
I pace a little, as it is completely out of my hands now. I can watch, I can pray this batch of apple butter will be preserved. But once the timer goes off, there is nothing more I can do.
I have prepped and prepared these fruits. And one day, I will have to send them off on their own, to either persevere in the faith, preserved in purity for their Heavenly home, or collapse under the pressure and become another indistinct ingredient of the worldly domain.
The words of St. John Mary Vianney suddenly come to mind and I ponder the odds of my children being saved. “The number of the saved is as few as the number of grapes left after the vineyard-pickers have passed. “ O Lord, what more must I do to preserve these fruits for you?
Time is up. Each jar has been removed from the raging water and set on the cooling rack.
I hold my breath.
The moment of truth is upon me.
I listen for that tiny pop, that reassuring little ping that proves that all the work that went into the apple butter will be preserved. One, two, three jars are sealed almost immediately. Four and five follow suit soon after. I busy myself in the kitchen, cleaning up the mess, all the time eyeing the last jar.
Will it pop?
It does not.
Somehow, these jars of apple butter have come to represent my children to me and I fret over the jar that has not sealed and thus will not be preserved. After all, the odds of a soul gaining Heaven are far bleaker than the odds of a jar of apple butter being sealed. What does this mean?
I resist the urge to just press the center of the lid myself, to force it to seal. But no amount of force or wishful thinking will preserve this fruit. I crawl into bed, full of wondering. Was it something I did? Something I didn’t do? Or was there some flaw in the jar or the lid that was beyond my control?
Mothers, our time with our children is short. Despite what the world tells us, Heaven is not for the many, but the few. What have we done to preserve the purity of the fruits He has entrusted to our care? Have we properly prepared them to persevere in the world outside our homes? Are they strong enough to endure the persecutions and temptations waiting to consume them?
We can never be sure. But we need to trust that Our Lord desires that all will be saved. With His grace we can bring to Him the delicious fruits of our labor, and hope that when our children’s time is up - when Our Lord lifts them out of this world - they will be sealed.
- Cassandra Poppe
Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!
https://www.hyderabad.sanuredy.com/
https://www.sanuredy.com/
https://www.aerocity.sanuredy.com
https://www.agra.sanuredy.com
https://www.ajmer.sanuredy.com
https://www.andheri.sanuredy.com
https://www.bandra.sanuredy.com
https://www.bhopal.sanuredy.com
https://www.chandigarh.sanuredy.com
https://www.chennai.sanuredy.com
https://www.dadar.sanuredy.com
https://www.darjeeling.sanuredy.com
https://www.dehradun.sanuredy.com
https://www.dwarka.sanuredy.com
https://www.ghaziabad.sanuredy.com
https://www.goa.sanuredy.com
https://www.gurgaon.sanuredy.com
https://www.guwahati.sanuredy.com
https://www.haridwar.sanuredy.com
https://www.jaipur.sanuredy.com
https://www.jaisalmer.sanuredy.com
https://www.jalpaiguri.sanuredy.com
https://www.kandivali.sanuredy.com
https://www.mahipalpur.sanuredy.com
https://www.mountabu.sanuredy.com
https://www.nashik.sanuredy.com
https://www.noida.sanuredy.com
https://www.surat.sanuredy.com
https://www.udaipur.sanuredy.com
https://www.visakhapatnam.sanuredy.com
https://www.zirakpur.sanuredy.com
https://www.hyderabad.sanuredy.com
https://www.hyderabad.sandhyarathor.in/
https://www.connaught-place.msklyroy.com/
https://www.goa.msklyroy.com/
https://www.hyderabad.msklyroy.com/
https://www.mahipalpur.msklyroy.com/
https://www.saket.msklyroy.com/
https://www.paharganj.msklyroy.com/
https://www.mehrauli.msklyroy.com/
https://www.chennai.hansikabhat.com/
https://www.chennai.msklyroy.com/
https://www.in.wowchennaiescorts.in/
Sharing my experience investing in Bitcoin and losing money to scammers is something I’m willing to do. Nevertheless, you can get your stolen bitcoins back. I was led to assume that Bitcoin recovery was impossible, so I never gave it much thought. I did, however, lose over $92,000 as a result of falling for a forex scam that promised excessively high profits somewhere in May. After a month of looking for assistance, I eventually found an article on Reddit about recovering stolen cryptocurrency and contacted (wizardjamesrecovery@usa.com). Because I had heard about negative situations, I was quite dubious and afraid. Nevertheless, I chose to give him a shot, and to my utter amazement, I was able to retrieve all of my stolen bitcoins from the scammers in a remarkably short amount of time. Additionally, they were able to show me the most reliable and authentic Bitcoin investment.
https://theresanaiforthat.com/games-live/?v=1753518721008 https://superspringsinternational.com/users/gameslive253/ https://ecme.ucalgary.ca/forums/users/gameslive253/ https://www.photocrowd.com/photographer-community/529351/?page=about https://www.passes.com/gameslive253 https://demo.ultimatemember.com/user/gameslive253/ https://www.startups.com/members/gameslive https://www.cameraftp.com/cameraftp/publish/PublicProfile.aspx/UserID77661039 https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/citizens/gameslive253 https://www.protenders.com/companies/online-chess-games https://tintinger.org/mecouxibroukou-5418 https://oooh.events/en/organizzatore/online-chess-games/ https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/users/gameslive253 https://www.amigaimpact.org/members/tragikadeicre-2951/ https://idol.st/user/68352/gameslive253/ https://tuffclassified.com/user/profile/gameslive253 https://anazonya.com/author/gameslive253/ https://www.starbookmarking.com/story/play-chess-online-for-free-2-player-chess https://www.api.the-corporate.com/profile/Play-Free-Chess-Games-Online https://theresanaiforthat.com/chris-dave/?v=1753518660523
https://superspringsinternational.com/users/chrisdave1985/
https://ecme.ucalgary.ca/forums/users/chrisdave1985/
https://www.photocrowd.com/photographer-community/529387/?page=about
https://www.passes.com/chrisdave1985
https://demo.ultimatemember.com/user/chrisdave1985/
https://www.startups.com/members/chrisdave
https://www.cameraftp.com/cameraftp/publish/PublicProfile.aspx/UserID77662671
https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/citizens/chrisdave1985
https://www.protenders.com/companies/online-card-games
https://tintinger.org/roiffebollolu-7960
https://oooh.events/en/organizzatore/online-card-games/
https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/users/chrisdave1985
https://www.amigaimpact.org/members/chrisdave1985/
https://idol.st/user/68420/chrisdave1985/
https://tuffclassified.com/user/profile/chrisdave1985
https://anazonya.com/author/chrisdave1985/
https://www.starbookmarking.com/story/card-games-live-play-play-all-your-favorite-classic-card-games-3
https://www.api.the-corporate.com/profile/Online-Card-Games
https://www.chatwork.com/gamesliveplay04
https://dawlish.com/user/details/37242
https://webrazzi.com/profil/gamesliveplay04/
https://doorspell.com/gamesliveplay04
https://www.youyooz.com/profile/gamesliveplay04/
https://www.cems-sc.org/user-profile/userid/27574
https://www.washingtonbrewersguild.org/author/gamesliveplay04/
https://backloggd.com/u/gamesliveplay/
https://bresdel.com/gamesliveplay
https://eternagame.org/players/527923
https://www.reverbnation.com/gamesliveplay
https://www.empowher.com/users/gamesliveplay04
https://druzefaces.com/gamesliveplay04
https://lol-community.de/gamesliveplay04
https://red.dariofalero.com/gamesliveplay04
https://jobs.siliconflorist.com/employers/3724884-best-online-games
https://community.wibutler.com/user/freeonlinegames
https://ceeivalencia.emprenemjunts.es/?op=52&id=236382&opc=1
https://swat-portal.com/forum/wcf/user/37646-gamesliveplay04/#about
https://demichelegroup.com/community/profile/gamesliveplay04/
https://www.eeweb.com/author/gamesliveplay.in/projects/
https://forum.neformat.com.ua/members/gamesliveplay04.68877/#about
https://www.informationhood.com/how-to-play-online-games-on-pc/
https://milyin.com/?p=834688
https://social.japrime.id/1753437969181509_43499
https://ezinearticleblog.com/what-are-computer-online-games/
https://afterpad.com/forums/profile.php?id=10395
https://coinfolk.net/user/gamesliveplay04
https://sooperarticle.com/which-is-the-best-online-game-in-india/
https://www.bmsmetal.co.th/forum/topic/596142/what-are-computer-online-games?
https://hoomet.com/profile/gamesliveplay04?tab=541
https://www.cqcinvestigations.co.uk/forums/topic/which-is-the-best-online-game-in-india/
https://www.englishforpsychology.eu/forums/topic/what-are-the-best-online-pc-games/
https://calculoabn.com/foros/debate/what-are-computer-online-games/
https://www.thevincy.com/topics/view/917
https://mygastricbypassstory.com/forums/topic/what-are-the-best-online-pc-games/
https://hamronepalibazar.com/forums/topic/what-are-online-games-t483
https://aegisprevencion.es/forum/topic/what-is-the-1-online-game/
https://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/users/johndave4869
https://fliphtml5.com/homepage/jypna/johndave4869/
http://www.golocalezservices.com/sports-1/john-dave
https://www.alnas.fr/author/johndave4869/
https://nursesoncall.com/author/johndave4869/
https://skiomusic.com/johndave4869
https://www.minecraftforum.net/members/johndave4869
https://blender.community/johndave48691/
https://www.charitywater.org/john-dave-1
https://www.pebforum.com/members/johndave4869.202076/#about
https://www.beatstars.com/johndave4869/about
https://www.awwwards.com/johndave4869/
https://www.openrec.tv/user/johndave4869/about
https://www.coroflot.com/onlinefreesnakesgames/profile
https://codexinh.com/user/johndave4869
https://thegroundsman.com.au/author/johndave4869/
https://villatheme.com/supports/users/johndave4869/
https://desksnear.me/users/john-dave
https://appsumo.com/profile/johndave4869/
https://www.eeweb.com/forums/users/johndave4869/
https://swaay.com/u/johndave4869/about/
https://www.rappad.co/users/onlinesnakesgames
https://www.tm-town.com/translators/johndave4869
https://forum.abantecart.com/index.php?action=profile
https://www.astrotime.ru/forum/ac-pro-file.php?mode=viewprofile&u=54894
https://worldranksite.com/author/seihonaquete-6742/
https://hairsellon.com/author/freuppenijoite-3683/
https://downgpt.com/snake-games-play-on-snakes-games-live-play-play-online-for-free/
https://follow.it/snakes-games-live-play?pub
https://titerr.com/johndave4869
https://fan.guru/u/johndave4869
https://www.scenario.press/johndave4869
https://bokcirklar.se/bokcirklar/snake-games-play-on-snakes-games-live-play-play-online-for-free/
https://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/users/jd8982419
https://fliphtml5.com/homepage/ntkvz/jd8982419/
http://www.golocalezservices.com/sports-1/puzzle-games
https://www.alnas.fr/author/jd8982419/
https://nursesoncall.com/author/jd8982419/
https://skiomusic.com/jd8982419
https://www.minecraftforum.net/members/jd8982419
https://blender.community/jd89824191/
https://www.charitywater.org/john-david-2
https://www.pebforum.com/members/jd8982419.202092/#about
https://www.beatstars.com/jd8982419/about
https://www.awwwards.com/jd8982419/
https://www.openrec.tv/user/jd8982419/about
https://www.coroflot.com/onlinepuzzlegames/profile
https://codexinh.com/user/jd8982419
https://thegroundsman.com.au/author/jd8982419/
https://villatheme.com/supports/users/jd8982419/
https://desksnear.me/users/john-david-26d127
https://appsumo.com/profile/jd8982419/
https://swaay.com/u/jd8982419/about/
https://www.rappad.co/users/onlinepuzzlegames
https://www.tm-town.com/translators/jd8982419
https://forum.abantecart.com/index.php?action=profile
https://www.astrotime.ru/forum/ac-pro-file.php?mode=viewprofile&u=54897
https://worldranksite.com/author/nudeigracopa5078/
https://downgpt.com/free-online-puzzle-games-play-on-puzzle-games-live-play/
https://follow.it/puzzle-games-live-play?pub
https://titerr.com/jd8982419
https://fan.guru/u/jd8982419
https://www.scenario.press/jd8982419
https://bokcirklar.se/bokcirklar/free-online-puzzle-games-play-on-puzzle-games-live-play/
https://www.eeweb.com/forums/users/jd8982419/
https://caribbeanfinder.com/profile/bookkeeping-service/
https://casualgamerevolution.com/user/Bookkeeping12
https://decidim.santjaumedelsdomenys.cat/profiles/Bookkeeping12/activity
https://veterinarypracticetransition.com/author/bookkeeping12/
https://roomstyler.com/users/bookkeeping12
https://expathealthseoul.com/profile/bookkeeping-service/
http://divisionmidway.org/jobs/author/bookkeeping12/
https://www.checkli.com/bookkeeping12
https://dojour.us/u/Bookkeeping12
https://www.zerohedge.com/user/Emie4c0M0pTULZkl02aAhPvuqei1
https://morguefile.com/creative/Bookkeeping12
https://code.antopie.org/Bookkeeping12
https://myarticles.io/members/bookkeeping12/profile/
https://git.entryrise.com/bookkeeping12
http://www.chambresapart.fr/user/guptilmartinw
https://daybyme.com/bookkeeping12
https://www.grepmed.com/Bookkeeping12
https://www.eltianguisvirtual.net/author/Bookkeeping12/
https://aprenderfotografia.online/usuarios/bookkeeping12/profile/
https://anyflip.com/homepage/znaoe
https://fun4friends.com/profile-3643320
https://www.bitsdujour.com/profiles/CpgUc0
http://laojobsvacancy.com/author/bookkeeping12/
https://www.canadavideocompanies.ca/author/bookkeeping12/
https://formulamasa.com/elearning/members/bookkeeping12/?v=96b62e1dce57
https://www.prshine.com/profile/bookkeeping12
http://freestyler.ws/user/565000/Bookkeeping12
https://nervedjsmixtapes.com/Member/MyProfile?username=Bookkeeping12
https://musikersuche.musicstore.de/profil/Bookkeeping12/
http://hi-careers.com/author/bookkeeping12/
https://my.omsystem.com/members/bookkeeping12
https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/citizens/Bookkeeping12
https://www.divephotoguide.com/user/bookkeeping12/
https://trainwick.com/institute/bookkeeping12-8546
https://issuu.com/bookkeeping12
https://qirolab.com/@bookkeeping12/about
https://www.murfreesborovoice.com/users/Bookkeeping12
https://jazztokyo.org/forums/users/Bookkeeping12/
https://www.deviantart.com/bookkeeping12
https://projectnoah.org/users/bookkeeping12
https://gifyu.com/bookkeeping12
https://hub.docker.com/u/bookkeeping12?gl=1*t4rh6h*_gcl_au*MTY3NTQ3MzUxMS4xNzUzNDMyODA5*_ga*NTE4NzE2ODI2LjE3NTM0MzI0MTQ.*_gaXJWPQMJYHQ*czE3NTM0MzI0MTMkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTM0MzI4MjAkajE3JGwwJGgw
https://www.metooo.it/u/688343b861d7dc1176859a33
https://pinshape.com/users/8641290-bookkeeping12#designs-tab-open
https://pubhtml5.com/homepage/xozhn/preview
https://community.m5stack.com/user/bookkeeping12
https://gitlab.vuhdo.io/Bookkeeping12
https://os.mbed.com/users/services12/
https://www.designspiration.com/bookkeeping12/saves/
https://git.project-hobbit.eu/guptilmartinw
https://sketchfab.com/Bookkeeping12
https://slidehtml5.com/homepage/guwy#About
https://myanimelist.net/profile/Bookkeeping12
https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/members/bookkeeping12.html
https://hanson.net/users/Bookkeeping12
https://www.asklent.com/user/Bookkeeping12#gsc.tab=0
https://rotorbuilds.com/profile/147690/
https://www.shippingexplorer.net/en/user/bookkeeping12/180878
https://inkbunny.net/Bookkeeping12?&success=Profile+settings+saved.
https://1businessworld.com/pro/bookkeeping12/
Leave a comment