Unfairness In Four-Square

Drops of bright red blood fell and were quickly absorbed by his shirt. He leaned forward and the next several drops hit the pavement. My classmate was dramatically outraged drawing the attention of the on-duty faculty supervisor. 

Moments later, I was sitting in a hard plastic chair outside the principal’s office. 

I couldn’t believe how unfair it was that I was wasting my only opportunity during our 7th-grade schedule to get a little fresh air outside after our lunchtime. 
Not only was I missing out on chatting with friends and potentially a little more four square- but I was potentially facing disciplinary procedures. 
…all because of a dumb boy….

A group of us had been playing four-square during our post-lunch break. The combination of my undersized body and underdeveloped athleticism exaggerated both weaknesses. Nevertheless, I wanted to fit in and hang with my friends so I took my turn in line and rotation with the four-square group. It seemed as though I was immediately seen as an “easy out”. Unfortunately, my efforts repeatedly proved my competition correct. I rarely progressed out of the first ranked square immediately returning to the back of the line. 

On this particular day, the kid occupying the square with the highest rank had been serving the ball and a hefty dose of verbal sarcasm and taunting. He also took grand delight in playing on my weaknesses and sending me to the back of the line. 
Eventually… I had all I could take…
After I missed yet another ball spiked in my direction, I retrieved it and with all the grit my undersized frame could muster I threw it back to him. In my mind, I hoped for a cartoon type result where the ball had the strength to send him backward twenty feet…
Instead, it only grazed his nose but struck with such an angle causing a bloody nose. 

I fought off tears telling myself to be tough as we were called into the principal’s office. I was angry and ill-equipped to keep my emotions in check ironically landing my classmate and I square in front of the principal. 
I listened to the account of events from beneath my classmate’s soiled tissue. I thought he was ridiculous but sat in silence withholding rebuttal. 
My punishment was equally ridiculous. I was told to follow my classmate around outside for the remainder of our free period with extra clean tissue…
I perceived it to be completely and absurdly unfair….

The parallel…?

My mortal journey through life thus far, (and continuing through today) is littered with elements that seemed unfair. My weaknesses can truly be a source of substantial frustration until I realize, and remember what they can actually do for me. They help me understand that as a mortal -with physical, mental, emotional and spiritual limitations- I will never feel “enough”. It’s the adversary’s greatest work that I believe even momentarily that in my insignificant feelings, I:
Quit trying to improve…
Quit trying to believe in God and my existence through Him…
Or quit trying to understand and use the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ DAILY in my life. 

As a young teenager, I was drawn to the goodness and hope that Christ could help make weak aspects of my life stronger- and the way was through Him. The literal path made available because of His sacrifice for me, His drops of blood…

-JC

Lemon Cream Filled Cookies

1 ¼  cups soft butter
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon lemon extract
Zest of 1 lemon
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

Cream butter and sugar on medium high for 1 minute or until fluffy.  Stir in egg, lemon extract and lemon zest. Don’t overmix. Add dry ingredients all at once. Scoop out 16 1.5” balls of dough and roll into balls. Flatten slightly.  For richer flavor and smoother texture, refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place cookie dough balls onto parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes; don’t underbake.  Immediately press down center of cookie creating “edges” using small measuring cup. Fill center of cookie with Lemon Filling. Drizzle with Lemon Glaze. Let set. Share!

Lemon Filling
3 eggs
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
6 Tablespoons lemon juice
3 Tablespoons whipping cream
6 Tablespoons flour
¼ teaspoon salt

Whisk together all ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until thickened. (About 8 minutes)
Let cool and spoon into freezer strength Ziploc until ready to use.

Lemon Glaze
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup powdered sugar

Blend lemon juice and powdered sugar until smooth. Spoon into ziploc until ready to use.