The Library Book

Just a few weeks before I was to begin Kindergarten, Dad told us the empty house next-door had sold and we would soon be getting new neighbors. To my sheer delight, the new family had two girls and one of them was my age! My new neighbor instantly became my best friend. Her dad was the incoming principal at the high school which was adjacent to the elementary school we would soon attend. My friend’s dad arranged for us to have a tour of our new school. Our mothers took this opportunity to show us the approved route we could take as we walked to and from school each day. They walked it with us many times, making sure we knew the way.

A few days later, I was thriving in Kindergarten and excited each day as so many new things were experienced. One day my teacher, Mrs. Graham, introduced us to the school library. It was huge! We were told we could choose a book to borrow, take home and read it as many times as we could in the week! The librarian reminded us to take special care of these books and return them the next week in exchange for another. We all eagerly agreed. On library day the next week,  my friend and I met out in front of our homes on the sidewalk at our usual spot. She was so excited to tell me that her dad told her of another safe way we could go to school. I tucked my book under one arm and clasped my friend’s hand as we skipped down the sidewalk on our new way to school. At one point, conflict arose as the sidewalk’s concrete was torn up. It was marked off and we could not pass. We noted our options and justified that since no cars were coming and it would just be a short walk into the street, it would be okay. As I clumsily stepped off the curb, I tripped. Immediate fear overtook me. My fall caused me to drop my library book which fell into the water runoff grate beneath the street. I cried. I cried for my disobedience in not asking my parents if I could go the new way to school. I cried for my scraped up knee suffered when I fell into the street. And I cried for failing to take good care of my library book as I had promised. My friend insisted we should continue on to school and that her dad would take care of everything. I didn’t listen. Instead, I broke another rule- I left my friend alone.  I turned around and ran home as fast as I could sobbing the entire way.

Unexpectedly, my dad was still home, having not left for work yet. I poured my regretful heart out to him. I recounted the tragedy as it had unfolded. My dad made a phone call, then took my small hand securely within his as we retraced my steps to the fateful spot. A man from the city met us there. He removed the large bolts and the grate. My dad borrowed his ladder and retrieved my library book!  Dad then expressed gratitude to the city worker and walked with me to school. My dad was my hero that day. He made all of my fears and sadness go away.

As a five-year-old, I don’t believe I had much of a capacity to know Jesus Christ more than a man in a great story.  However, I believe through the experience of my library book, the foundation was laid for me to understand Christ’s unconditional love and patience.  I saw both of these characteristics in my dad when he rescued me. I could begin to understand that we were not placed on earth simply to navigate this experience or struggle on our own.

-JC

As I reflect upon this experience today, I ask myself:
Do I recognize Christ’s Light in others?
Do I recognize that Christ is my Savior to provide salvation which I cannot do for myself?

Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Pretzel Cookies

1/2 cup soft butter
1/2 cup buttered flavor Crisco
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 XL eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla
3/4 cup cocoa (I use Hershey’s Dark)
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup broken pretzel pieces
2 1/2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks or chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter, Crisco, and sugars with an electric mixer on medium-high for 1 minute or until fluffy.

Hand stir in eggs and vanilla; don’t overmix.

Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Add 2-3 more Tablespoons of flour for high elevations.

Stir in pretzel pieces and chocolate chips. Scoop out approximately 24 2” balls of dough.  Gently roll. For a richer flavor and smoother texture, form cookie dough balls, flatten slightly and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.

Place on greased or parchment paper on an aluminum cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-14 min.

Let cool for ten minutes.  Pipe caramel dip (produce section of grocery store or make your own favorite recipe) across cookies and immediately sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

Let set. Share!