Baking Measurements

Earlier today I wanted to write a post but then not being sure what to write about I decided to bake instead. I love to bake, but I don’t always have time to do it. I baked an “Apple-Cherry Slab Pie” -thanks to a recipe from J. Gaines Magnolia Journal. (Oh, it smelled good in the house.)

Because I am a perfectionist at heart, measuring ingredients is the worst part of baking. Always wanting the process to result in a perfect dessert, I never want to deviate from an original recipe the first time I make something. Today I knew I needed 7 cups of sliced apples for the recipe, but knew depending on how I measured them it would yield different amounts. As I was measuring the apples I thought to myself, if I loosely put the apples into the measuring cups it would reach the brim much quicker than if I would pack them down. I didn’t want to break any of the slices into smaller pieces so to compensate I made sure every measurement was filled to more than the brim of the measuring containers. Some were overflowing to the point that apple slices were falling onto the counter. I wasn’t frugal with the amount of apples I was putting into the mixing bowl at all.

While peeling and slicing apples, and then peeling and slicing more I kept thinking about those who loosely measure the slices in containers and result in less overall apples in their dessert compared to others who measure differently and yield more. One thing was clear, I needed to measure the apples in a much different way than how I measured the flour or measure brown sugar in other recipes.

After cleaning the kitchen I knew exactly what God was calling me to dive into and study. Through making my apple-cherry slab He was reminding me to not judge or condemn others but to forgive them. He reminded me that in doing so I will reap rewards from Him in a manner that will be pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over and even falling on the kitchen counter. I know all about that! I clearly understand the differences. I knew the differences prior but He had me really thinking about the differences today.

I have to apologize to you if you view my posts looking for a literal translation or teaching on a verse. Many times throughout my day I am reminded of a verse because of something that I am doing. I know this is how God speaks to me specifically. I would actually love to break verses down and write on a passage of scripture however my posts would turn into sermons. (I don’t think you want that. LOL.) Just know these posts are glimpses of my days as I strive to live Each Day for Christ and as He speaks to me constantly through my life’s events.

This week I will make a concentrated effort not to judge or condemn others and will forgive others in a manner that exceeds how I have in the past. Although this post was written for me, I encourage you as my reader to ask God how this applies to your life too? Could you judge less, condemn less, or forgive more? He will help you. Just ask.

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. Your gift will return to you in full – A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. " Luke 6:37-38 NIV