Sunday 15 September 2013

50% off


Found these dried figs at the grocery store. They were 50% off. I've never baked with them before and didn't know what I should do with them. Fifty percent, half price. Because they are only half as good as before? But, they are still useful.
 I've been feeling pretty off lately, 50% off. How did this happen? With a recent big move, I find myself so discontent. I just have to admit that I don't like the change, almost, at all. There are definite blessings and advantages but I just cant see them with all the unfamiliar surroundings. The absence of the familiar (the people, things, and scenery I loved)- crowds out all the advantages. Which I must mention are the most important of this life...ie. more family time.

So I'm allowing this discontentment, to allow me to work at 50%, my mood be at 50%, discernment 50%. I realise I am human and I can feel and react to life's changing situations. And this is not wrong, but I think that when I start to let it control me in such a way, that then I'm not really trusting the Lord. But I must go back to the figs, still being useful at 50%. This situation has been helpful for me, with again seeing how the Lord works things out according to His will, when we trust Him (Rom. 8:28). I have faith that He will take care of me (Phil. 1:6), despite how I fEeL. Ugh if only those FeElInGs wouldn't get in the way of my trust, and faith I know is there in me!  Thank you Lord that you are patient with me (2 Peter 3:9,15).
So this is what was presented to me the day this was all coming to me -
We must take the world as we find it: it is a happiness permitted to very few to choose their company.
-Susanna Wesley
If I steadily allow my feelings to control my mood and such, I am choosing to let myself be half as useful and I'll miss out on all the good that the Lord is doing! I need to be patient, the Lord knows what He is doing.
Emoji
Fig Spice Cake
1 1/2 cups figs, stems removed
1/2 cup half and half
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. each baking powder, salt
1/2 tsp. each baking soda, cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 10"tube pan. Place figs in sauce pan and cover with water. Simmer for about 5 min. Drain and cool, reserving 1/2 cup of the liquid. Cut the figs into small pieces and set aside. In a bowl, combine the reserved liquid with the cream. In separate bowl sift together the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, cream the the butter and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, add the vanilla. Beat in a third of the flour mixture then the cream mixture, keep alternating until all is combined. Pour into the pan and bake for 50-60 min.
This is a comforting smelling cake. Yummy too.