“Wait! I Need My Cape!”

Watching the world revolve through the eyes of a four-year-old granddaughter is nothing short of remarkable. 

Optimism, strength, and joy are who she is.
Was she born with this disposition?
Perhaps…
But certainly, she’s being raised by parents who create a place and space for her to grow in the ways God will need her. 

She was recently at my home playing with my sister’s grandson. 
They were headed outside for an adventure I wasn’t gifted with the imaginative eyes to see.
She took two steps out the door and returned telling her playmate-
“Wait! I need my cape!”
Moments later she was back outside with a heroic cape and matching eye mask. 

My niece was with me as we chatted in the kitchen a while later. 
My sons and she also donned capes as toddlers. 
There seemed to be an unseen force of bravery, protection, and assertion that filled my home as nearly thirty years prior-  capes were worn as a costume signaling a series of heroic undertakings. 
The antics included jumping off of furniture- with sounds of whirring and slashing bad guys. 

They had it all figured out as toddlers. 
My granddaughter does too. 

There’s indeed an enemy. 
He’s a bit more ready for a battle than the invisible ones in my backyard. 

Three decades ago-
My home was filled with warriors ready for battle. 
The years have proved to be filled with exactly that. 
Heartache and hardship have dotted the course. The fight has been one of faith- complete with daily choices to lean into it or away from it. 

Choosing not just to do…
But to know…
And then to let that knowledge guide the resulting steps that accumulate and become paths…

The same will be my granddaughter’s story. 

I am seeing now more than ever the power of agency and choice in battling the adversary. 
He’s crafty. 
But absolutely not more powerful than the Savior. 
We already know how that battle ends. God wins. Christ wins. 

We are simply left with the choice of who we battle with –
Who we battle for. 

My superhero cape is worn only in imagination. And it simply begins with a daily study of the word of God. Most days- I measure that in a few quick minutes. But it focuses my day- my mind- my resolve to fight off the adversary and recognize the heroic power through discipleship for Jesus Christ. 
I also recognize that checking in with God through prayer can also be a simple reset for my day. 

Days become months that become years. Heartache and hardship are part of my story too. 
As is peace. 
Peace in Christ. 

-JC

Biscoff Cake Bars

Biscoff Crust:
3 cups crushed Biscoff Cookies (approximately 12 oz.)
10 Tablespoons melted butter
¼ teaspoon salt

Combine all of the ingredients. Reserve and set aside ⅔ cup Biscoff Crust. Press remaining of the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9” x 13” baking pan. 

Make a Biscoff Crumble with the ⅔ cup of Biscoff Crust by spreading it out loosely onto a cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 6 minutes.  Let cool until ready to use.

Oatmeal Cake
Cook 1 cup of quick oats with ¾ cup of water in microwave for 90 seconds.
Let cool to lukewarm. Set aside.
Mix together:
1 (approx. 15 oz.) spice cake mix
½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Add in:
½ cup sour cream
½ cup melted butter
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Stir in oatmeal. Mix 2 minutes on medium-high speed, scraping the bowl occasionally. Spread batter over the Biscoff Crust.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until done.  Drizzle with ½ cup melted Biscoff cookie butter. Let cool completely. Frost with Biscoff Buttercream Frosting. Garnish with Biscoff Crumble and cookie butter drizzle.

Biscoff Buttercream Frosting
¾ cup soft butter
¾ cup Biscoff Cookie Butter
2 ½ + cups powdered  sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
Dash of salt