Grace in the Doughy Parts

2 Corinthians 12:9 The Message
“It’s done enough. Eat around the doughy parts.”

These were the instructions I gave as I served dinner the other night.

Yes, it was a proud moment.

The dinner a child could make, I served with doughy insides. I won’t say what it was, because frankly, it’s too embarrassing. But, as usual, I wasn’t completely focused on making dinner.

I was trying to get a file sent to me from the office. It was my own fault that I didn’t have it, and the stress was tying a rugged knot in my stomach. So, between phone calls, e-mails, and files flying through internet space, I got dinner prepared and in the oven.

Success.

Or so I thought.

When the timer went off, I pulled out the pan, turned off the oven, and told everyone dinner was ready. And then I realized it was not done. I don’t mean another-minute-or-so not done. I mean raw dough.

So, I put it back in the oven, and we stood around waiting. I thought about Carol Brady—this never happened to her. (But wait, she had Alice…and six kids. I have one kid and no Alice. So, call it a draw.)

If you are not familiar with the Brady Bunch, which I can’t even image, find it in reruns. Really, you need to. Oh, and I’m not dating myself. It was reruns when I watched it as a kid.

But, I digress…

I checked again. There were still some doughy insides, but I was tired of waiting.

So, I announced, “It’s done enough. Eat around the doughy parts.”

I should probably wonder why this information didn’t surprise my family, but I’m not going there.

We prayed over our delicious home-cooked dinner, prepared with love. (If you didn’t read that with sarcasm, read it again.)

I picked at the edible parts, while my mind kept repeating my failures…done-enough-dinners, forgotten files, and lack of Carol Brady perfection.

And then, my daughter said, “I like the doughy parts.”

Sigh. I could already hear future conversation starters…Hey, mom, remember when you served raw dough for dinner?”

And that’s when I remembered grace.

The grace my family was extending by not complaining and eating as if this wasn’t a big doughy deal. Grace in my daughter’s statement. And the grace I needed to give myself.

The grace that God gives me on a daily basis.

2 Corinthians 12:9 The Message
Perhaps this whole incident helps me understand what God said to St. Paul...
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)
My family loves me even when I serve doughy dinners, and God loves me even when I’m not Carol Brady perfect.

I imagined what this scene would’ve looked like in the Brady Bunch.

“I like the doughy parts!” a child would exclaim, while the family laughed and laughed. The closing music would play and the credits would roll. It would be the perfect ending to their chaotic 25-minute television time slot.

That’s what I’ll do next time. I’ll laugh like it’s the cutest thing she ever said, while family theme music plays in the background.

On second thought, there’s no need to make this again. And who has time to find family theme music anyway?

In Christ,
Laura


15 comments:

  1. Oh I loved watching the Brady Bunch as a kid. I wonder if it is available on Netflix. Such a good lesson here my friend. I've served my family many uncooked or less than desireable meals. My kids have never told me they liked it though. So thankful for His grace!

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  2. I'm with Barbie, I didn't watch it in reruns either, lol! It was live, I was the same age as Jan and my sister was Marcia, I had brothers the same age as Bobby and Peter, we pretended all the time. I still call my sister Marcia sometimes. But now I digress...your post was precious...who cares about the doughy middles, you went out of your way to make a home-cooked meal! Yay you!! Your family loves you, and I love the way you weaved in the grace. Perfect. ♥

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  3. Here's the story... Enjoyed visiting your blog today through the weekend brew and 5 minutes for faith contributors.

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  4. Hi Laura! Oh my gosh, I wrote about Grace today too! Isn't that something...God is so good! We both must have needed to think about it.

    Love that little one who loves the doughy parts. Bless her heart! She is a grace to you, and that's for sure. We're never going to be perfect, right??

    I am your newest follower!
    Ceil

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    1. Ceil, thank you for your kind words! I'll be heading over to visit you.
      God bless,
      Laura

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  5. Dear Laura
    Oh, this is just to precious!! I also once had a doughy lunch when I made curry bunnies! The problem for me was that it was at on of those rare occasions that my father-in-law visited us on his own! Ce la vie!!!!
    Blessings XX
    Mia

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  6. Really sweet, funny but with a good message, post!

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  7. Oh, I so love and can relate to this one! And hey, I watched the Brady Bunch first time around- oh I am dating myself for sure. Sweet Laura, you've got this grace thing...because it's all Him and you reflect it so beautifully, even in the doughy places! Hugs for the week ahead. Hope it is a good one!

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    1. You made me smile, Dawn, and I needed that today. Thank you!

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  8. Oh yes I do love doughy parts too!! I can relate so much!! I loved the Brady Bunch too , I am seriously dating myself.

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  9. love how you can laugh at yourself now :) love the brady bunch...never really thought of Carol Brady as perfect but I guess she always did look quite put together...thanks for reminding me to embrace grace...

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  10. I've done this many times, as a matter of fact I made pancakes this week for dinner and they were still doughy in the middle. I'm blaming it on my husband who took over in the middle of my flipping. I loved the Brady Bunch, they were my safe respite in the chaos I lived at home. Love to you Laura.

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  11. You are so precious, Laura.

    And what a grace-filled daughter you have.

    Honestly, I love dough. I'd totally eat your doughy dinners.

    :)

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