The Ninety And Nine

“There is a song that has been heavy on my mind of late.”

By Millie The Accidental Cook

There is a song that has been heavy on my mind of late… it just won’t go away. I have read the words over and over and even have been searching for some history of the song. A history so riveting it should speak volumes to Christians and leaders all over the world. The song title reads “The Ninety and Nine” and it has always been one of my favorites.

Per the story, a renowned and popular Christian leader “paid no attention” to the words of this song when he first heard it read to him by his soloist. According to reports, the Minister was focused on preparing his sermon “The Good Shepherd.” After the great leader delivered his sermon, he then turned to the one who had read the song/poem to him and requested him to sing a solo. Apparently, the soloist was caught off guard as he had not planned to sing. He took from his pocket the clipping of the song “The Ninety and Nine” and sang, bringing tears to the eyes of both men.

How often do Christians and Christian leaders get so involved in their efforts that they/we neglect to listen to others and their pleas for help? We allow them and almost encourage them to leave our realm never realizing that every soul is important, so much so, that the writer of this song/poem saw the importance of leaving the ninety and nine to rescue the one that needed it most.

You see, the writer of this song/poem had a brother who, per the history, turned to depression and alcohol after failing in his efforts at farming. He died as a young man. No doubt the writer saw the need that that brother must have had that if, only if, someone, somewhere, would have just cared enough to leave the ninety and nine and go help the one who was dying inside and in his own way begging for help. Only if……

On a lighter note, almost weekly, sometimes more often, my family must think that I need a rescuer or maybe that they need to be rescued. I am the cook that prepares a whole meal of spaghetti and all the trimmings only to realize there are no noodles in the cabinet. I am the cook that bakes a whole cake and leaves out the sugar or the rolls/biscuits that I almost always forget in the oven until someone says “what’s that I smell?”.

My title of “Accidental Cook” was earned the hard way by trial and error, lots of error. Remember my inability to prepare and bake a really good biscuit. Just recently our Tonya brought us a sample of her homemade biscuits and to think she has been enduring mine. She promises that she will teach me and that’s what it takes, reaching out, looking beyond oneself, and helping others in every walk of life. You know, it may be a matter of survival for someone.

All of us have been tried through these trying times especially in preparing meals for our family. Some years back I shared my recipe for Salisbury steak — my way. During the early months of the ‘Pandemic’ when we tired of the same old food, having had the same menu for many weeks, I was experimenting and this recipe for Salisbury steak was really tasty.

My Mister had purchased some real ground chuck and after preparing him some burgers from that ground chuck, he requested that I not cook that anymore. My Mister’s father, an excellent cook, always said that you always needed a little fat in your meat. He was correct! My burgers (of ground chuck) were proof of that! You could have played golf with them.

In an effort to cook something different I took some of these ground chuck patties from my freezer and prepared the following way.

ANOTHER RECIPE BY MILLIE

MILLIE’S VERSION – PANDEMIC SALISBURY STEAK

  • 1 1/2 lbs of Ground Chuck
  • 1 container of dry brown gravy mix
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 2 cups of water
  • salt & pepper

FYI – brown gravy mix can be found on the “$ aisle” in most grocery stores.

Make the patties from the ground chuck, approximately 6. Roll the patties in dry brown gravy mix (save balance of mix). Place the patties in an oven proof casserole dish. Sprinkle salt and pepper over them and drizzle vegetable oil over the patties. Bake @ 350 degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes.

Remove from oven and check for doneness). Then add water and and blend in the balance of brown gravy mix. Place back in the oven and bake for approximately 15 more minutes.

This dish was absolutely delicious.  It was served it with mashed potatoes and green beans.

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