The kitchen is such a great place for lessons…unfortunately, I learn the most. About myself, about my selfishNESS, and about how I get so easily focused on the wrong things.
They always want to help. To stir, to watch, to taste, to–ahem–make messes. It would, in fact, be easier to snap at them to get down and get out so I can “get this done”. It would be faster too. And less messy.
And less profound. Profound? Stirring fudge is profound?
Not exactly. What’s profound is how God uses such small things to fulfill His big purposes. I need more patience. Lots more. So He gives me these little ones, underfoot, asking, needing and wanting more of me.
I need to die. Why? Because God says so, and that’s all the reason I need. “He who would save his life must lose it.”
They help me die so that I can fully live.
I smile, tell myself again that the mess is a small sacrifice to pay. They feel important, useful and the stirring of things in bowls together creates a stirring of our hearts together. Mingled–laughter, love, simplicity of a day…and God is making it great.
My very favorite fudge recipe:1/2 c. cocoa
1/4 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1 stick butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. chopped pecans
Mix powdered sugar, cocoa, milk, and salt together in a microwave-safe bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces and add. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir; add vanilla and nuts. Pour into a greased 8 x 8 inch pan. Cut into squares when cool.
Note: I usually buy the 2 lb. bag and double the recipe. YUMMY!
13 comments
Thanks for the recipe! I have to confess, I love anything I can do in the microwave, lol.
Such a lazy cook. 🙂
How timely- the Lord recently used a similar situation to remind me of the need to die to self. Sometimes I think I’m shaping the character of the children in my life, when really God is using those children to reveal my sinfulness and to shape me!
Can’t wait to try the fudge recipe. Thanks for sharing it and your insight.
What a beautiful reminder. That brought tears to my eyes.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who struggles with this. I have gotten better, but, yes, I still need to die!
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This sounds SO MUCH LIKE MY DAY!!!
I posted this morning on my blog about all my plans for the day. It looked so storybook by the time I was finished.
In my mind, it was going to just go so perfectly and smoothly.
We read our Thanksgiving story this morning. No problems. Very enjoyable!
But… after the pilgrim hat cookies were made (they turned out really messy because the boys did them their own way instead of my way & then they ate part of them.
Oh well…
Flour EVERYWHERE from the bread I am baking (little one trying to put a spoon in the electric mixer)
My blood pressure rising. My voice goes up three octaves as my son accidentally whacks me with his wooden toy gun as I walk around the corner.
LOL
Really I am better now, but I am so relating to this post!
PS Fudge recipe sounds great!
Great post! What a blessing to learn within the surrounding and comfort of our sweet little ones the true lessons of self-sacrifice. Who better to self-sacrifice for than our family? And, hopefully, we are learning to be more like Christ in order to be a brighter light in the world!
I look forward to trying the fudge recipe!
lost your post. Bummer on the fudge… we made it and well did not turn into fudge. we ended up pouring it on our ice cream. any suggestions? I can never make fudge….
rcsnickers,
Hmmmm…you have to use exactly the right amounts of everything or it won’t harden. Did you use a box of sugar? I can’t imagine–it turns out perfectly every time we make it, unless we guess on the sugar and don’t put enough. (1/4 c. milk and no more?)
If you live in a particularly humid area, fudge won’t turn out most of the time. That might be why
thanks for the free recipe Kelly, once again! For some reason I nev er think of fudge when im baking treats for others…it would be a sweet gift to do like 3 different flavors….and wrap and stamp up in a pretty box. Tos ave money, this is certainly going to be a Chef-Boy-R-AuthenticallyMe kinda Chrsitmas…..lol.
by the way… supposed to say “love your post!” not lost… duh me… I do not recall seeing the milk. Also, I get the big bag of sugar from Sam’s so I figured 2c = 16oz (1 pd). Is that right? Thanks and will retry…
the fudge turned out great! So easy and the kids loved helping (you inspired me to include them)
thanks!