I only wanted to make some heart-shaped cookies.
But that day, I walked into my daughter’s preschool class with cookies that looked like blobs.
I marvel at those of you who actually like to cook. I find it amazing that for some of you, baking cookies makes you happy. At times I do come up with something I’m slightly proud of – but I confess, I cook, bake, stir fry, boil, toast out of sheer necessity.
So with that said, I surprised myself when I quickly and willingly signed up to bring some homemade heart-shaped cookies to my daughter’s preschool party. My thought at the time was, this should be simple enough.
Turns out, it wasn’t so simple.
That morning I woke up with a headache and late. I literally had fifteen minutes to pack the kids’ lunches and bake a dozen heart-shaped cookies in time to get ourselves in the car for school. But add to the mix things I didn’t plan – missing socks, spills, sibling spats, little hands trying to get into the cookie dough, and a total inability to multi-task… and I burned the cookies to a total crisp.
I had something like five minutes left to spare. I haphazardly whipped up another batch of cookies. But for reasons I still don’t understand, they turned out as big puffy blobs. “Hey Mom, what’s that supposed to be?” one of my sons asked as he passed by the tray of cookies.
I wanted to hurl it all in the trash.
But alas, I was out of time. I had no other choice but to throw the puffy amoebas into a foil container and take them to my daughter’s school.
I regretfully handed the container to the teacher. “I am so sorry. I know these don’t look like hearts.”
She looked at me puzzled. “It’s really okay.”
Somehow, as I drove home exhausted, I felt less than okay.
But after school, my daughter came bounding out of her class. “Mom! You made the best cookies ever!”
“I did?” I smiled at her.
“We put frosting and sprinkles ALL OVER THEM, and they were soooo good!”
Undeserved grace right there.
I need to be reminded we all fall short of glory. Boy, do we ever.
But grace say this to our hearts – you are worth the saving. I’ve got you covered.
I can’t forget that over two thousand years ago on a cross, our Savior poured His life for us.
Beautiful. That’s how the Father sees the ones willing to receive that outpouring.
We will burn the cookies. In our own strength, we will fail.
But what a beautiful thought – to proclaim a glory beyond us, to bless others even in our imperfections, to be strong when we are weak, to know the power of a lavish love… simply because His grace has covered us. ❤
invited by grace 
Remember Uncle Butch loves cookies that are burnt! You are more than beautiful, thanks for sharing!
Thank you Auntie Gayle. Yes, I do remember that he enjoys burnt cookies… just wondering, if he actually like the taste or if he’s just being kind and letting others eat the non burnt ones!
I am a horrible baker, too! So don’t feel bad. A little frosting on top always does the trick, right?! 😄
Aw thanks for understanding. Thankfully my husband can actually bake pretty well (he is the one who will make cookies with the kids!). I think it’s that baking requires so much precision… and I am not always so great with that!! I have learned to bake some delish grain free desserts though… again, out of necessity and once in a blue moon. 🙂
Way to go, hubby! By the way, I am an excellent dessert eater. You know where to find me! 😉
Love this! Our kids can teach us so much. They are so quick to forgive and extend grace and mercy. 🙂
Megan, you are right. My daughter is four, and I just love this age. Motherhood has flat out humbled me in so many ways. As you know, it has been the hardest yet most fulfilling journey EVER. Hope you are well, friend!
I love this so much! And I totally feel you on the cooking out of necessity only lol
Kim, nice to know I have a “kindred spirit” mom-friend out there who also admits to not liking to cook …. no worries though. Some people can give gourmet meals to the world, but you give encouragement for the soul. You may not love cooking, but God has clearly given you a love for Him and the gift of words!
Was just thinking the other day how differently our kids perceive reality than we do. So many times I’m frustrated by the details and then I hear how much fun they are having. Thanks for sharing.
Praying for you
You bring up a good point. Oh how life does not always line up the way it should — but kids have this beautiful way of appreciating the happiness in the moment and delighting in the simplest things. It would do us some good to recapture a bit of that, yes? Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!
I love this! I am so impressed you were able to make not just one but two batches of sugar cookies but two batches in 15 minutes. Even if they did not look like hearts, everything is better with frosting!
Thanks for your kind comment. 🙂 I didn’t really bake two batches in 15 minutes. We were late to school! But, you are right…. everything is better with frosting!
Just beautiful, Kim! It’s incredible how God reveals Himself in the everyday and like you said, He wipes everything else away, the pride and imperfections, and shows us that we are perfect just the way He made us…even if we don’t look the way we think we should. And…way to go on the cookie effort…sugar cookies are so stinkin’ hard! 🙂 Love your heart, friend!
Thank you Tiffany! It is a struggle to remember that God sees us so differently from how we see ourselves. If we could never forget this… how free we would be! So glad to hear from you!
I love to cook…when I’m not rushed. With kids, unrushed cooking is impossible! I bet that teacher was so grateful you showed up with *any* cookies, and homemade to boot! 2 Corinthians 12:9
You are right! NO ONE signed up to bring the home made cookies, and that is partly why I volunteered…. but I will say, I was tempted to bring the paper plates! I really do appreciate those who love to cook. 🙂 I think it’s just wonderful!
Thank you. I needed to read this tonight. Keep writin’! 🙂
Grace that “burns our hearts to brokenness”… I love this description of grace. Beautiful.