“You Came Back To Us…”

I sat on the edge of the mini trampoline in my son’s backyard and watched my granddaughter show me all of her new tricks as I visited with my amazing daughter-in-law. They had settled nicely into their new neighborhood they had moved to a year prior and seemed to be on a good trajectory.

I had brought a gift for my grand-daughter-
A new book.
We settled in on the trampoline side by side as we opened the cover.
She looked at me and simply said “You came back to us…”
She had a sweet content tone as she simply stated the resoluteness and I’ve pondered her phrase countless times since.

I had moved to a different town a few states away several months prior. Instead of seeing her multiple times a week, weeks would go by in between my visits. She understood I wasn’t there as much but clearly had no capacity to understand the why.

It’s the idea of coming back, her calmness in noting it and seemingly all at the same time excusing my absence.

It’s how I believe God feels when I distance myself from talking with Him, hearing Him or following Him.
A complicated question I find myself asking is “Does God have expectations of me?”

He’s all-knowing. So if He knows what I’ll do- does He actually expect anything of me?

I feel like His great gift to me is agency. When I fall short of using that gift wisely, how do I course-correct?

It’s simple-
I circle back.
I come back.

It’s easier than packing a suitcase and boarding a flight.

It’s a conversation- between me and God…

He knows, but I tell Him anyway. Acknowledging where I fall short gives it a place and space to grow and evolve from. Then I recommit to trying harder to be a little better in even one moment of my day. Then move forward with grace for myself for falling short and resolve to circle back-

Because coming back is filled with absolute indescribable joy.

-JC

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Brownies 

Brownie Layer
Make up a brownie mix (16-20 oz) as directed.

Spread ½ of Brownie Layer evenly onto greased/parchment lined 8” square aluminum baking pan. 
Spoon and carefully spread Salted Caramel Cheesecake Layer onto Brownie Layer. Top with remaining Brownie Layer. Bake at 350 degrees for 38+ minutes or until set. (This will vary depending on size (oz.) of brownie mix used.)
Let cool. Drizzle with Caramel Fudge.
Let set. Share.

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Layer
8 oz. softened cream cheese
⅓ cup packed brown sugar
1 egg yolk
½ teaspoon vanilla
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips 

Beat together cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, and salt until smooth.  Stir in chocolate chips.

Caramel Fudge
⅓  cup caramel sauce
⅔ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Melt together caramel sauce and chocolate chips. Spoon into freezer strength Ziploc until ready to use. (Heat gently just before drizzling onto brownies.)