The Trophy 

I had a self-assigned job to organize the garage. 

I decided to put it off for a few weeks, but milled around one day to assess how many storage racks and plastic tubs I would need. I quickly became distracted with a plastic tote with my name on it. 

I opened the lid to find “stuff” denoting years past. Most of it was mementos from high school.  Few items held any true value for me- even in memory of the story they told. 
Filtering through the tote, I found a broken trophy. It took me back to the smell and view of the back hallway near the girls locker room of my first high school gym in Sidney, Iowa. There was a wall filled with trophies and a list of record holders. It seemed like a valuable quest in life to contribute to teams and contests to add to the plaques and placeholders. 

I worked hard and earned a place for my name on the wall for the High School Girls 1500m run. I posted my best time ever my Freshman year. That effort mixed with a few others earned me a small (now broken) trophy stashed in my garage tote: “Rookie of the Year”. I have no recollection of the record breaking race. None whatsoever.
Because for me- nothing happened in my head or my heart to change me. 

Decades later-
The stories I remember that have framed my faith are never moments of recognizable worldly glory. They are instead memories of working in the trenches of life. 

I can easily recall harsh words -heard and uttered, fails and falls – both literal and figurative.  I can remember feelings of insecurity, insufficiencies, and seemingly inconsolable loneliness- and then unseen seemingly unexplainable refuge from such. 
The work is done in the trenches. And the reward is silent and invisible to most. 

I’ve learned to love those unseen trophies. 

My dusty, cracked trophy whether on a shelf or in a box has no value or meaning. It doesn’t define who I am, how I show up, or my ability to be a disciple of Christ. 

But I know exactly where to find Christ. 
He’s in the trenches of my life working alongside me-
Aiding my strength as I work, encouraging me, and sitting with me as I beg for rest. 
He lifts me to keep working, keep believing, and keep trusting God, faith and celestial promises. 
He meets me at every invisible finish line podium. He places a triumphant medal around my neck urging me to keep working to grow the spiritual strength gained in the trenches.

If I close my eyes and recall my stories-
They are mine to own- mine to claim and filled with proof that God is in the details of the details of my life. 
As I claim my stories- I am required to write their evolving chapters. I own how I show up and progress in them.

I’ll get serious about tasking in the garage another day. In the meantime, I’m grateful for the walk down memory lane that the old plastic tote invited. 
And even more so-
I’m grateful for the real work done in between earning a few ribbons, medals and acquiring yearbooks. 
I’m grateful for the real stories of my life earned in quiet unseen moments without a letter grade, stopwatch or photo. 
I’m grateful for countless opportunities provided by God to write my own story- complete with invisible trophies documenting my progress. 

There’s no wall of recognition in God’s kingdom-
Just the greatest reward – that of daily peace in the trenches.

-JC

Caramel Pecan Frosted Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

1 cup soft butter
½  cup vegetable oil
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup cocoa 
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

Cream butter, oil  and sugars with an electric mixer on medium-high for 1 minute or until well blended. Hand stir in eggs and vanilla; don’t over-mix. Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Add 2-3 Tablespoons more flour for high elevation. Scoop out approximately 24+ 2” balls of dough.  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 10+  min. Cool. Frost with Caramel Pecan Frosting. Garnish with melted chocolate bar.
Let set. Share!

Caramel Pecan Frosting

½ cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 egg yolks
8 oz evaporated milk or half and half
—–
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash of salt
2 cups toasted coconut
2 cups toasted pecans

Cook butter, brown sugar, egg yolks and milk on medium heat whisking constantly until mixture thickens and begins to boil. Let boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and salt. Gently fold in toasted coconut and pecans.
Let cool until room temperature.
Set aside until ready to use.