Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:31)

The house was a dilapidated jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces. Innocuous black snakes often found their way inside through the ill-connected joints. Rags filled the broken window panes, a barrier against the frigid air. It was a sorry sight to most, but it was home to me.

There were seven of us. Poor as hanks, survival meant eating whatever was set before you. Squirrel, rabbit, or deer, we didn’t ask. We weren’t worried so much about saving the planet back then as we were about saving ourselves. Dad worked continually, but he never seemed to catch up. It was either feast or famine, there was no in between. So more times than not, we did without.

My twenty-two-year-old mom tried her best to keep five kids happy. One particularly cold day while camping in the kitchen with just the stove to keep us warm, she threw a blanket over the table and we all climbed under, our imagination doing the rest. For a while, we played oblivious to our persistent problem. The need for food.

But Mama was praying. And God was listening!

Around lunch time, my granny, Mattie and my great-granny, Blanche, brought two whole fryers expecting to fry them, until Mama explained she had no grease. Blanche asked for butter. Mom gave her all she had–several small pieces from blocks she used to butter her pans when cooking (Before the days of Pam). Undaunted, Blanche melted the butter and pan-fried the chicken. Then she made butter gravy with the drippings. We feasted on the best Chicken ‘N Gravy we had ever tasted before—or since.

I make this recipe when I want comfort food. Back then I didn’t eat much. I didn’t like deer, rabbit, or squirrel. And I refused to eat fried bologna! So when I found something delectable, I kept it near my heart. Each time I eat this dish, I’m reminded I am more valuable than the sparrows.

What You Need:

Whole fryer or 4-6 breast, thighs, or legs seasoned to taste

½ cup butter or margarine

½ tsp of salt and pepper (according to taste)

½ cup flour (see note)

2 2/3 cup water (see note)

Here’s How:

Place butter in pan or Dutch oven and heat until butter sizzle.

Brown a few pieces at a time, turn, and cook until tender.

Remove from pan

Combine flour and salt. Add to drippings to make a roué. Stir until medium brown.

Add water and whisk until smooth and creamy.

Return chicken to the gravy and allow to simmer 5-10 minutes.

Serve with rice, homemade biscuits, or pasta, and a salad.

Note: With different chicken pieces comes more drippings. Reduce drippings and flour as needed to make perfect gravy. The more you make this recipe and become familiar with it, adding more or less of things, the better it will taste.

Do you have a favorite dish that reminds you of God’s goodness?

Have you ever had someone to show up at your door just when you needed a helping hand?

Ain’t God good?

Blessings

Gail