“…Another One Bites the Dust…”

“Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 7:21

I had no swag whatsoever… and yet…

As I heard the bass guitar and percussion cadence blare on the speakers and the electric guitar join in, I couldn’t move my fingers fast enough to tie my laces. 

“C’mon Jackie!!!” My friend called as she (more practiced, more coordinated, and more graceful) strode out onto the hardwood rink in her perfectly laced roller skates. 

By the time the lyrics “Let’s go” fueled my adrenaline, I took off in hopes to catch up to my friend by the first turn…
“Are you ready?…
Are you ready for this?”

The music blared and became my anthem as I crossed over gripping the hardwood gaining incredible speed weaving in and out of skaters as I raced toward my friend. 
Ahead of Queen’s verbal cue, I turned the corner WAY too fast. 
I slammed into the handrails hard!

My sixth-grade classmates kept skating and singing as I became a casualty.
My pride was severely bruised as was my hand, and likely my ribs. I metaphorically dusted myself off and waited for my friend to circle around. 
I fought the lump forming in the back of my throat. 
With renewed resolve noting my friend slowing to join up with me I more cautiously finished the lap. 

My friend sang out to the harmonizer beat with a bit of a dance in her skate – “..another one bites the dust…”

This memory keeps cycling through my head as I ponder on the past year.
I still often try to run faster than I am able…
It’s a personality struggle turned to trials, followed by a series of temptations resulting in mistakes that I’m constantly regrouping (repenting) from. 

2020 has at times seen me trying to outrun the chaos, discomfort, and stumbling blocks…
Until I pause to realize they are exactly where they are supposed to be…as am I…

So therein can I exercise greater patience in working to understand my purpose with greater faith in Christ and doing the will of the Father who sent Him and thousands of years later sent me with my own purpose…

My invitation follows that of Christ’s…accompanied by a promise…

And I’m certain that that “kingdom” is a place I want to be! I’ll take my chances and work towards that!

-JC

Mint Chip Cookies

1 cup soft butter
½  cup vegetable oil
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon mint extract
A few drops green gel food coloring
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup Andes Mints pieces

Cream butter, oil and sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high for 1 minute or until fluffy. Hand stir in eggs, mint extract and food coloring; don’t overmix. Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips and Andes Mint pieces. Add 2-3 Tablespoons more flour for high elevation. Scoop out approximately 24+ 2” balls of dough. Gently roll and flatten slightly.
(For a richer flavor and smoother texture refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.)
Place on greased or parchment paper on an aluminum cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10+ minutes.  Garnish with melted Andes Mints and mini chocolate chips, as desired.  Let set. Share!