The scars serve as a daily reminder to me – to slow down…

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5

The menu was a classic Sunday spread.- But a bit atypical for me: 
Pot roast, steamed carrots, and new potatoes with plenty of piping hot gravy. My sister was bringing salad and dessert; Mom would be in my kitchen soon with several loaves of homemade artisan bread and a batch of fluffy dinner rolls. 

I loved the chance to gather as an extended family with my own (adult) kids, my parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews complete with random roommates in tow. 

I was trying out a new kitchen appliance to steam the veggies- an “Instapot”. In typical form, I tossed the instructions to the side and quickly loaded my pot with veggies.

I was moments away from a houseful of hungry dinner guests when the pot sounded its completion. I tried to open the lid. It was stuck. The concept of it being a pressure cooker was apparently in the print I failed to read. I told my husband I needed his help getting it open, deeming my compromised hand strength the problem. I stabilized the pot as he worked to twist the lid off. We forced the pot open, releasing the contents under pressure, and an over-filled vegetable side dish splattered on my wrist and clothes. I screamed in pain but quickly assessed the contents and finished filling the kitchen island full of food. As guests arrived, I invited them to fill their plates and quietly excused myself into my room. Tears quickly escaped my eyes as large blisters had already formed on my wrists and arms. 

I had badly burned myself because my attention to necessary details seemed less important than the completion of my task. 

I was more concerned about the destination and failed to take the time to focus on the best way to get there. 

The scars on my wrist serve as a daily reminder to me 
-to slow down
-to recognize that my imperfections sometimes cause harm to myself and others, but they don’t define me. 

My scars remind me that my perfect Brother, Jesus Christ has scars on his wrists too…

His represents redemption for me.

-JC

Brownie Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Make a batch of: Brownie Cookies
1 20 oz. brownie mix
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
Mix brownie mix, flour, oil and eggs  together until well blended.  Scoop out 24  -1+” balls and gently flatten.  Freeze for 1+ hours.

Make a batch of: Chocolate Chip Cookies
½ cup soft butter
½ cup buttered flavored Crisco
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Cream butter, Crisco, and sugars with an electric mixer on medium high for 1 minute or until fluffy. Hand stir in eggs and vanilla extract; don’t over-mix. Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Add 2-3 Tablespoons more flour for high elevation. Stir in chocolate chips. Scoop out approximately 24 – 2” balls of dough.  Flatten and wrap each cookie disc around a frozen Brownie Cookie disc. Work quickly so brownie cookie discs stay cold. 
(For a richer flavor and smoother texture refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.) 
Place on parchment paper lined aluminum cookie sheets.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10+ minutes on a parchment lined baking sheet.   
Let set. Share!