Battle of the pies

We’ve heard it said many a time that the world would be a boring place if we all liked the same things. 

On a rational analysis I’d have to agree. However, motherhood doesn’t always bring out my most rational side!

I wish my toddler liked the same t-shirts as me. In fact, I’d settle for him wanting to wear any t-shirt besides his Thomas the Tank Engine one (again). 

It would be easier if my kids all liked the same sandwiches. 

And it would be nice to have key lime pie a bit more regularly.

The balance of sweet and sour, with the crunch of the base – and the creamy topping – is a beautiful thing. But, alas, early in our marriage I discovered that my husband does not really enjoy citrus flavours in any sweet or savoury dishes.

His favorite is banoffee pie. It’s tasty. But not as tasty as key lime, in my opinion! 

Showing hospitality would be much easier if we didn’t have to cater for such an abundance of dietary requirements and food preferences. However, we are called to show hospitality without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9). 

Relationships often begin, and can be strengthened, when we find something in common – faith, hobbies, interests, food. But it is difficult to prove you love someone when you only do what *you* enjoy doing with them. Love in its highest form is displayed when we make sacrifices for others. We prove our love for others when we give up our own pleasures for their sake.

God showed his love for us by giving up that which delighted him most (Luke 3:22). He sacrificed his son; and he did it for our eternal joy (John 3:16).

The fact that everyone has such different likes and dislikes means that we daily have opportunities to grow in love. 

We can make the effort to learn new recipes/skills that we know others will enjoy – even if it’s not something that we are particularly passionate about ourselves.  We can stretch ourselves out in love to accommodate others.

And it doesn’t matter if they never know the efforts we’ve gone to for their sake. Our father in heaven is watching and he will reward that which is done in secret (Matthew 6:4).

Valentine’s Recipe

The effort of rolling and cutting out biscuits usually puts me off making them. But this recipe avoids all that. Their heart shape makes them a nice gift for Valentine’s day (plus they are his favorite).

You could couple them with a home made valentine’s day card. Make a watercolour card, cutting out hearts instead of balloons for a romantic twist.