The Recipe

I inherited tons of recipes from my friend and foolishly thought we would like them all because they came from my friend. Not so!  No matter what I did to tofu, hubby wouldn’t believe it was hamburger. (Please don’t send me your favorite version…it won't wash here!)

The Rocky Road bars were really rocky while the Spinach Rolls were for admiration only. Finally I figured out her system. A barely legible recipe, with sticky edges and brown blobs meant “Try me. I taste good.” In a very short time, I edited that recipe pile down to a few special ones and tossed the rest. Her most stained recipe?

Cherry Snacks

1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar

Crumble these ingredients together, pat into 9″ square pan. Bake at 350F for 8 minutes. Mix following ingredients together and spread on the top.

2 well-beaten eggs
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup walnuts
1/2 pound candied cherries
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup finely shredded coconut

Return to oven and bake at 325 for 45 minutes. Top with butter icing if desired.

Like recipes, life gives us lots of opportunities. We've all chased them but hopefully we’ve learned to by-pass the ones that aren’t so great. . Only a few are really worth the money, time and effort they demand.

Still some of us insist on trying them.  A lesson learned the first time should be enough. Made a mistake and tried it? Too bad. Lesson learned. Repeated the same mistake again—and again—and again…? Shame on us.

Philippians 4:14-I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am (MSG).

Prayer: Give us common sense to live a life well-lived with you as our recipe.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.