Racing Ducks

Throughout the years, I would often head out for a run… just to think… One warm fall afternoon, I set out for a quick run along the easement road next to the irrigation canal near our home. As I relaxed into a cadence and let my mind begin to unwind, I noticed a duck swimming in the canal next to me. He seemed to keep turning his head over and looking at me as if to chart my speed and match it. I can be ridiculously competitive at times… I guess this was one of those days because I challenged the duck to a race… I quickened my pace and laughed to myself as the duck began to swim faster. Again I turned up my intensity and the duck followed suit. I was running at a great pace as we neared the first crossroad. Without even as much as a nod, The duck took off flying.

“Cheater!” I gasped.

Throughout the rest of my ‘race’ he was a hundred feet in front of me and would often take flight. I had to surrender the win to the duck and took the time to ponder my initial assessment. Did he cheat by taking flight? Or was he simply using his resources? After all, he had wings….

I am committed to live a life with my Savior Jesus Christ as my wings.  He is my most valuable resource as I sojourn through life. Through Him and because of Him, all things are possible.

My conversion to Christ is a story filled with ups and downs: shortcomings and moments of success. But mostly, it is a story of hope. I hope I continue to recognize Christ’s light in the people around me. I hope I follow Christ’s example in seeking out the will of my Father in Heaven and trust in Him. I hope I replace fear with faith in times where life’s burdens are seemingly unbearable and unjust. I hope I push aside the adversary who works to create doubts and a divide to convince me efforts towards a testimony of and a relationship with Christ are worthless or impossible. Above all, I hope that I recognize it is in and through the greatest resource God has blessed me with- my Redeemer, my Advocate, my Savior Jesus Christ that I can be strengthened to not quit… to keep trying and keep believing in a brighter tomorrow. For truly Christ is the hope and light of the world.

My question for today:
If Christ were to return tomorrow, what would He find me doing?

Merry Christmas! May you choose to seek Him whose birth we celebrate today!

-JC

Reese’s Peanut Butter Brookies

Make a brownie mix according to package directions. (I like Ghirardelli.)

Spray pan with Pam Baking spray. Spread brownie batter into 9 x 13 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 22-26 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with 12 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups cut into small pieces.

Sprinkle with 1+ cups of milk chocolate chunks or chips.

Drizzle with 1/3 – 1/2 cup melted peanut butter.

Mix up a batch of Peanut Butter Cookie dough.

Form 1/4-3/8″ thick pieces of Peanut Butter Cookie dough with your hands and piece together a layer of cookie dough to cover the baked brownies.  You will not use the entire batch of dough.

Bake an additional 15 minutes at 350 degrees.  

Remove from oven. Cookie portion of bars will be soft, but will set up nicely. Over baking them will result in crunchy cookie and dry brownie layers.

Let set. Cut. Share.