Hey, you! I’m so glad you stopped by because I have a few things on my mind that I’d like us to chat about. So, grab a cup of Joe, or your drink of choice and let’s hang out for a bit. Don’t worry, we will totally talk about the BBQ cheddar mini meatloaves shortly, but first, I have a question. So, what are you known for? What is the one thing that people can say about you? Better yet, what do you hope that many, many years from now, when you are long gone, you will be remembered for?What will your legacy be? I have been ruminating over this on and off for a while now, and a certain passage in my devotional time this week brought it back to my mind. 2nd Timothy 1:5 ” I am reminded of your sincere faith, which lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded now lives in you also”. I was thoroughly intrigued by this verse, and it has stayed with me all week long. This verse was written in a letter by Paul to his young pastor friend, Timothy. I kept thinking about this woman Lois, who acted and believed a certain way, and who then managed to pass on these values to her daughter Eunice, who in turn passed them on to her son, Timothy. How awesome is that! I’m convinced that this did not just happen by accident, and that it was something this family was intentional about. I imagine many conversations among themselves, as these values were planted and watered in their hearts, before there was ever any fruit for others to see.
This year marked 8 years since my grandfather, Ayub Habel Muraya went to be with the Lord. When I think legacy, he is never far from my mind. By definition, legacy is something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor from the past. AH as we lovingly call him was so intentional to leave a legacy that encouraged education, as well as fierce loyalty and friendship within the family. He lived and breathed these principles, and as a result, our family is reaping the benefits long after he is gone. We are scattered around the world now, but the close bond and the friendly banter continues daily! Our family whatsapp chats are absolutely hilarious, and give me such joy and peace, even though I am thousands of miles away from home. As a family, we are continual learners because AH taught us that there was always something to be learned, so find a book and get to reading.
So, I ask again, what will your legacy be? How do you want to be remembered? The good news is that if you are reading this, you still have breath in your lungs and you have the chance to write your story. To paint the picture that will define your life. A few years back, we took a marriage small group that encouraged us to come up with a mission statement and our family values. It now hangs in our living room and is something we talk about often with the girls. It’s a long list, but here are a few things I want to be characterized by. I want to be remembered as having loved people well. I want people to say that I was far from perfect, but I was authentic. I want to be known as a loyal friend, who sticks like glue when everyone else runs for the hills. I want to point people to Christ, not by my words, but by my love in action. I want to be remembered as the girl who was always down for a party, who came platter of yummy food in hand, ready for a good time. So, I hand this over to you. I hope that this conversation between us spurs you to dream a little, then get in the business of working towards the legacy you hope for. If you feel so inclined, drop me a line in the comments section with what you would like to be remembered for. I truly would love to hear your thoughts.
Ok….. it’s recipe time. Sorry, not sorry about the rambling. Let’s talk mini meatloaves, because…hello! They are individually portioned, and delicious, and they are ready in 30 minutes. They are very meatloaf meets meatballs in the most awesome way possible. Trust me when I say that you need these in your life ASAP. While you are at it, please double the recipe, because I had some really disappointed children when they realized there would not be any leftovers for lunch. Tough luck…. such is life.
Cheddar and BBQ sauce make a nice pair, but options are endless when it comes to flavor combinations. I have made these with a Tex-Mex flair before, and also using this meatloaf with tomato mustard glaze recipe I posted earlier. These would be great as appetizers since they are so stinkin’ cute, or as a main meal, when you serve 2 or 3. If you are looking for some sides to go with this, these herbed dijon potatoes or some mashed potatoes would go really well, paired with a salad or some veggies. I went with some roasted Parmesan squash, and everything was gobbled up in no time. Enjoy!
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup cheddar cheese + ½ cup for topping
- ½ cup bbq sauce
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease/spray a muffin pan.
- In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients, except the BBQ sauce and ½ cup cheddar.
- Divide the mixture into the muffin pan (I use ¼ cup to scoop, shape into a ball, then put in the pan)
- Brush each meatloaf with BBQ sauce, then sprinkle with the reserved cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is browned, and the meat is cooked through.
- Enjoy!
Nancy Macharia
A life well lived. What a wonderful eulogy or epitaph.
Kari
I miss him terribly. He truly lived life well.
Joan Cline
Your post Kari, made me think and it will be a prayer in my life to know what will be my legacy. This is the second time I have heard about this. Continue the great work of encouragement and delicious food.
Mary
These look yum! Definitely trying…Byron loves anything with bbq. Sauce. Am Sure this will be a hit! Thanks!
Kari
I’m sure these will be a hit with Byron. Throw in those rolls he loves, for good measure.