I do strive to create a lovely atmosphere in our home. My hope is that our lives are generally peaceful, beautiful and orderly. However, I often have to face the fact that I am fighting entropy. We live in a fallen world, so sometimes life gets a bit ugly. This was the case in our home this week.
We were enjoying our delightful northern Michigan home . It’s an idyllic setting in small-town America. You know, the kind of spot where only beautiful memories are made. Until this past weekend when our life looked more like a fractured fairy tale.
First, we decided to grace a few of our local merchants with our business. While we were in the quaint kitchen store, our van lost its rear-view mirror to a hit-and-run incident. Of course, it will be pricey to replace. Needless to say, I was disappointed in the “brotherly love” displayed in our small town.
Next, the steering went out on our truck. It has something to do with universal joints and ball joints effected by salt and rust. This means little to me, but I did understand the bill.
Now, fade in to our return home from shopping. A few of our older children had remained at home to play board games. Keep in mind, this home is in the middle of NO WHERE. The drive leading to the house is long. We rarely lock anything. When we are there, the house and the barn remain open. This has been our pattern for years. Not anymore. While we were out, someone decided to visit our barn and help themselves to my husband’s chainsaws. (He loved those chainsaws.) These were not just ordinary pieces of equipment – we are talking 24-inch Husqvarna and Echo chainsaws. Again, another pricey replacement.
My little world was shaken. After all, on top of everything, my children were in our home alone while some stranger was lurking within 100 feet of them helping themselves to our chainsaws. Obviously, I am grateful that our kids are safe, particularly considering my 16-year-old son’s personality. Had he known what was going on in the barn while he was playing Risk, he certainly would have confronted the situation – Scary.
I am grateful, but I am also mad. I feel violated. While my steadfast husband didn’t miss a beat and calmly reported the situation to the sheriff and insurance people, I was devising revenge in my mind. The sheriff and our insurance agent both assured us that these perpetrators would return. I, of course, want to be ready for them. Fortunately, my husband brushed away my vengeful ideas and resolutely set about to build a gate across our road. Certainly this doesn’t involve the drama of my plans but it does illustrate the difference in our personalities. He never exhibited the emotion, anger or angst that I did over this situation. He is a rock. . . calm, calculating and kind even in ugly situations. I guess that is why he leads our family . . .
I spent the remainder of the weekend baking in my wonderful kitchen. Somehow the warmth and lovely aromas created by banana bread and pumpkin pie in the ovens brought back a sense of peace and order to my shaken world.
Banana Bread
4 cups of flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter (2 cubes), softened
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
2 cups mashed ripe bananas
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
Butter 2 loaf pans. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Sift the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Mash the bananas. Cream sugar and butter together in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating the ingredients after each egg. Periodically scrape the sides of the bowl. Combine the dry ingredients with the butter mixture. Add the bananas, sour cream, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix thoroughly. Divide the mixture between the two pans. I always weigh the pans to assure even baking. Bake for one hour or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
This recipe is a result of years of customizing a recipe I ran across in The Martha Stewart Cookbook (1995 edition). For another terrific banana bread recipe visit Embracing Him.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John16:33
I’m sending you big hugs! Wow, that’s an almost unbelievable amount to have happen to one family all at once. I still remember how I felt when someone merely bumped our van and then walked off without checking to see if she had scratched it. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if we were robbed when our children were home alone. How awful! Praise the Lord, that guy didn’t decide he needed to help himself to anything in the house!
Oh Kathy! Hugs to you dear sister! I’m so sorry to hear about this series of events! Praise God that His protection was there for your children! I’ll be praying that the replacements and repairs don’t cost an exorbitant amount of money! What a great scripture to hold on to during trying times!
Your wonderful kitchen seems like a great place to be! Unfortunately, you’re far from me, but if I were nearby you can bet I’d be asking to come, sit, snack, and chat!
Knowing how “protective” you are of your little home and flock, this is going to take some recovery time! I am so sorry!! You need to focus on God’s sovereignty at this time–knowing that HE knew all that was going to happen and allowed it to happen AND kept the precious kids safe at the same time. I’ll pray that they do not return, but I’ll also pray that you will see God’s goodness in this somehow and not turn into a paranoid wreck. My Dad has had break-ins at his cottage in the woods also. He installed an alarm system. Thankfully, these are the crooks who are after merchandise, not the kids! The chain saws can be replaced. But I am sorry for all that you’ve been through. And I thought having my wireless on my laptop screwed up for 2 days was hard… blessings… my little online friend. you’re in my prayers.