Not Quite Put Together Right

I took the photo of these massive caterpillars in the island nation of Dominica (not to be confused with the more civilized Dominican Republic.) The bright clownish coloring of these voracious beasts caught my attention and one wonders if the orange speckled feet and red head were left over from some other project-- and Mother Nature added them as an afterthought.

I was still wondering why the chocolate Bavarian cream was so runny as I opened the ‘fridge door to set it in to chill. My answer sat on the shelf in front of me- I had forgotten to add the egg yolks that I had separated earlier. I was in the middle of the recipe when a long-time friend called and I finished it up while chatting to her on the phone so there was a reason for my oversight but that didn’t change the outcome- the dessert was NOT going to set up. SOOO- quickly settling on a solution, I mixed a little more Knox gelatin, sugar & milk, added the egg yolks and stirred just until it came to a boil, then cooled the pan in a bowl of ice water until it began to thicken and folded it into the cream mixture where it should have been in the first place. It’s not how the thing was supposed to be put together but I have my fingers crossed it will set up in time for dessert.

It’s not the first time I have had left over ingredients (just ask my kids about the muffins without the sugar or the pudding cake without the flour.) I have had ample experience trying to multi-task as I fix dinner or being distracted (phone, doorbell, kids, the parrot, grandkids, a flooded basement, dogs. . .) and leaving out an ingredient. I took a machine embroidery class once and the instructor stated not to worry- there were no mistakes- only new stitches. Not always true in cooking-- or in life.

HOWEVER, my abundant experience has left taught me some principles- adapt and seek for creative solutions. It may not turn out as a the grand Bavarian cream I imagined but it may still be edible and be interesting enough to have an appeal as were the garish caterpillars. I used summers when mornings were not as rushed to teach my children to cook. When the pancakes turned out flat as tortillas, we reviewed the ingredients and discovered the child had forgotten the baking soda. Not wanting the potential discouragement to cut short their cooking career, I announced that she had made ‘crepes’ (sort of) and we rolled them around some strawberries from the freezer and topped them with Cool whip and the flat pancakes became an elegant breakfast! The sugarless muffins became edible with a layer of homemade jam. When the yeast was too old, we chewed on “unleavened bread” and talked about the Israelites’ flight out of Egypt. The peanut butter cookies without the peanut butter became dog biscuits. I am far from perfect in putting life together and getting what I expected but I don’t waste time anymore wishing I hadn’t made the mistake or left out an ingredient. Instead, I focus on salvaging what I can, adding the ingredient late if possible and doing the best with what IS instead of what it could have been.

I'm Your Fault

My husband received a Father’s Day card from beloved daughter #2 with this message:

“Some psychologists say a DAD is the single MOST IMPORTANT element in the formation of a child’s character. In other words, I’m mostly your fault.”

We laughed when we read it but the words have been replaying in my mind and there is a core of truth in the concept. My husband is a “straight arrow.” He has received his God-given role to protect, provide and guide his family with unwavering faith and commitment. He has refined the ability to understand his life mission and to labor unceasingly to fulfill the stewardship the Lord entrusted to him. His example has provided his children with lessons in faith in our Father in Heaven and His plan for his children; integrity; unselfish dedication to others; hard, unceasing WORK; setting righteous priorities; the power in setting and steering toward eternal goals; steadiness amidst the storm; self-control; and, above all, the motivating power of unfeigned love.

Each of our children came to us with innate personality and characteristics; they were not unmolded clay. However, my husband’s influence as he has lived and taught a life submissive to our Heavenly Father is evident in the lives of each of our children. Much of what is GOOD in each of our children’s character is truly his fault!

A Loving Family . . .

A loving family multiplies joy and divides sorrow. Almost 30 years ago we moved into our present home and the first person to show any kindness and welcoming spirit was another mother of several young children. It was a beginning of a friendship that has lasted through the years. We have shared burdens and blessings. Last Saturday, her husband of 37 years passed away after an 8-year battle with cancer and chemo. She was surrounded by her grown children as he passed through the veil and they continued to surround her and buoy her up in their shared grief. As I visited with her that day, it struck me that the family she and her husband had brought into the world and nurtured for years was now a huge blessing who were nurturing and sustaining their mother. The family is a divine institution ordained by a God whom we address as Father. There is much sacrifice in bearing and raising children but Heavenly Father, who set the pattern, knows that a loving family multiplies joy and divides sorrow and that principle was powerfully borne witness to me as I sat with my friend that day.

. . . His Wonders to Perform

“God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.” These lines taken from the hymn by William Cowper (1731-1800) suggest that we, his children, do not always understand the path or means the Lord uses to bring to pass his purposes until we recognize the fruit of his wisdom as he directs our lives. At church today, a mother of grown children talked about her frequent prayers that God would grant her patience and it wasn’t until some time later that she recognized the endless frustratingly difficult situations that had come her way while she continued to pray for PATIENCE were, in fact, the ANSWERS to her prayers. Her experience struck a chord with me because I had done the same thing: pray earnestly for patience when I found myself the mother of three young children. I don’t know what I expected- I didn’t really think God would tap me with a magic wand or pour soothing patience into my soul- BUT I was naïve enough not to realize that this life was given us to LEARN to choose God and Godliness and a wise Heavenly Father carefully orchestrates our experiences to give us the opportunity to learn and develop our character and abilities through that experience.

My answer to prayers for patience came in the form of repeated calls to serve in the church nursery. We moved several times in those early years and each time we moved, I was asked to serve in the nursery. I felt I had my own nursery 24 hours a day, seven days a week at home. I wanted a break from kids- not an assignment to care for other people’s kids instead of attending services with the adults. In the end, I made the connection between my prayers and the Lord’s gracious offer to spend extra time with young children where patience was essential. My response was to stop praying for patience. I have grown more patient with young children over the years but the biggest lesson I learned was that God answers prayers by giving us mountains to climb. Attributes of the spirit are developed the same way muscles grow- by repetitive use. Dancers and athletes develop control and co-ordination in addition to strength through constant intense practice. Patience comes in the same way- if God lovingly grants us the conditions that require it.