When I was little, I loved to bake. To the dismay of my family, I even made up my own recipes for everyone to try. (One included yogurt, fruit chunks, and other substances I found in the fridge…. sorry, fam!)
Fastforward almost twenty years, and after moving my entire life to a brand new state (again), I began to look for small ways to find peace amid the chaos. I was seeking something that could make me feel productive but also let off a little steam and clear my mind. Now that I was old enough to properly follow a prewritten recipe, I could give baking a try again. And I loved it! I began to bake cakes, scones, bread, and more. While baking is an outlet for me to relieve stress, it also can be a teacher.
I have spent almost a year consistently in the kitchen. Within this time, there are a few life lessons God has allowed me to discover through baking:
1. A Little Powdered Sugar Goes a Long Way
I don’t know if you, dear reader, have ever tried to make a cream cheese frosting, but let me tell you, it isn’t always so simple. For the experienced baker, such as my grandmother, the recipe is branded in her brain and she could probably make a batch with her eyes closed. However, for newer bakers, the powdery, sweet, airborne mess can take a mighty big toll.
But one of the most important things to know about powdered sugar is that a little will go a long way. Just a few cups will make the sweetest icing you have ever tasted in your life. The same is true for our words. Proverbs tells us that “kinds words are like honey” (Proverbs 16:12) and that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Did that set in with you? Kind words are equivalent to a substance that sweetens treats and soothes sore throats, and is even known for its ability to be an energy booster when you are tired. Kind words sweeten, soothe, and invigorate people! And like powdered sugar, a little goes a long way. One kind word to a stranger could be exactly what they need to keep going.
2. You Can Always Add More, But Never Less
One time, when I was making icing (again), I added too much liquid. Instead of a sweet, creamy icing, I ended up with a bowl that looked like it consisted of sugar and water. I tried to make it work. My beautiful, spongy cake was slathered with the water-icing, and I stuck it in the fridge hoping it would stiffen. It didn’t.
I learned then that you have to add liquids a little at a time when making icing because once you have added too much, your concoction is ruined. You can always add more as you go, but you can never take back what you have already dumped in the bowl. Remember when I said that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21)? What you say matters. And once you say it, you can never take it back.
Now, I am not saying that forgiveness is not available. In fact, as believers, we are called to have a posture of forgiveness. But, we are only human. While Jesus has the power to erase our sins and God actually tells us that He chooses not to remember our sins (Psalm 103:12), the human mind works a little differently. Once you have said something hurtful to someone, it will be extremely difficult for them to choose to forget it.
The same goes for our actions. Once we have done something, it’s done. Again, there is always, always, always forgiveness through Jesus, but we still have to live with the earthly consequences of what we choose to do. Just like I couldn’t take the liquid out of my bowl when I saw it was ruining my icing, we cannot take our words and actions back when we realize they were hurtful.
You can always add more, but you cannot take back what is done.
3. The Recipes That Take the Longest Are Usually the Best
I have five words for you: homemade cinnamon brown sugar pop-tarts. This is perhaps the best thing that has ever come out of my kitchen. The flaky crust with the hardened brown sugar icing covers the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture. One pastry is about the size of a grown woman’s hand, and there are about five to a batch. These things are so good that I can eat them all in one day. And since they are homemade I usually don’t feel that guilty. (Maybe not the best logic, but, hey, at least there are no bioengineered ingredients).
The only downfall to these pastries? It takes forever to make them. First, you have to make the dough. Then, you have to mix the brown sugar and cinnamon for the middle of the pastry. After that, you need to assemble the pastry. Now, the dough can’t be too thin because it will tear. But, the dough can’t be too thick or it won’t bake correctly. Once you have assembled the pastry, you have to bake it carefully. You can’t burn this or it is completely ruined. At the same time, no one wants a doughy pop-tart. After just the right amount of time in the oven, when you have a golden and flaky crust, you pull the pastry out and before it cools you have to drizzle the homemade icing on top of your batch.
If it sounds like it takes a lot to bake these, it’s because it does. However, these are one of my favorite treats and are more than worth the time spent on them. Oftentimes, the store-bought pop-tarts appeal to us because they are fast and convenient. But the homemade pop-tarts actually taste better and have better ingredients.
Perhaps God wants you to invest in the homemade stuff, in what’s good for your soul. It might be God’s will that you take the time to mix up your schedule, assemble a new spiritual routine, or let a few ideas “bake” a bit. I know the waiting is hard, but just like the pop-tarts, the end result is worth it!
I don’t write this to make it seem like I am the perfect wife, humming around the kitchen while I bake fresh bread. Nor do I write this to give actual baking advice—you need to call my grandmother for that. I write this to serve as an example that God meets you where you’re at, and He teaches you lessons in the midst of everyday life. In fact, sometimes being in the kitchen is where God and I get to spend the most time together.
If you were encouraged by some of these lessons, or even if you weren’t, I want you to consider inviting God to be present in your mundane tasks. Baking can be a chore for some, or it can be a time of fellowship with Jesus. Whether it’s the busy holiday season or the slow summer days, why not try out that new cookie recipe, talk to your Father, and learn a few lessons that end in a more intimate relationship with God… and a cookie or two!
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/hobo_018
Olivia Lauren is a graduate student passionate about Scripture, particularly the Book of Romans showcasing God’s grace. Outside her studies, she enjoys teaching her dog new tricks and finding quicker ways to silence the smoke alarm after trying a new recipe.
