Sticky Situations
The sink I had emptied of dishes only an hour before was now full. The clean table was covered in flour, floury measuring cups, butter remnants, sugar, cinnamon, and something singularly sticky. She stood there smiling, arm extended with a lunch bag. Walking to the trunk, she explained that she knew I was leaving, and I’d probably be hungry since I hadn’t had time to eat. Inside there were three water bottles, a bag of veggie straws, a quest bar, a knife, a fork, and most importantly, one of the gluten-free cinnamon buns she had baked while I was gone.
“I remember you were saying that you missed having cinnamon buns when I baked them last week, so I made some that you could eat,” she smiled. “I don’t know if they will be any good; the texture seemed off.”
Touched, I thanked her and assured her that if they were anything like the rest of her kitchen inventions, I was sure it would be delicious.
It would be hours before I got a chance to open the bag of snacks she’d packed for me while I was out. After gulping down the first water bottle, I reverently removed the glass container housing the delightful delicacy lovingly baked and prepared by my teenage daughter. For context, let me interject here that my girl is a fantastic cook. I have seen her make maybe one or two things ever that haven’t been absolutely delectable, so my expectations were high.
Have you ever eaten gluten-free baked goods?
Yeah – they aren’t the same.
Made With Love
The cinnamon bun was good – for a gluten-free rendition, but my mouth and brain were remembering Cinnabon. It was a little disappointing, but I ate the whole thing. It was made with love after all – I could taste it. My girl is now more determined than ever to create a gluteny tasting gluten-free alternative for me. I think about the times I did things out of love for my mother that were less than perfect, but she treated them like gold.
I wonder if that isn’t what it’s all about anyway – my husband insists he can taste the difference in his dinner when I’m annoyed with him. That’s the issue, I guess. The things we do for those we love should always be done with love. Perhaps, everything we do should be done with love. God loves the whole world; isn’t that why He sends rain on the just and the unjust?
1 Peter 4:8 says, “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” Thankfully, I’m pretty sure that covers gluten-free baked goods.
