On Pancakes and Life

Growing up I spent a lot of time at my grandma's house. Most mornings she helped me master the art of making pancakes. I learned how to look at the edges and the bubbles on top to gauge when each pancake was done. I learned how to pick the best spatula for flipping and the importance of NEVER over-mixing the batter. Of all the culinary techniques I learned all of those mornings over the stove, the one that means the most to is this: the first pancake is the tester. I can't count how many first pancakes I botched. It's on this pancake you adjust the skillet temperature and, if you're me, you warm up your pancake flipping abilities. After this first pancake falls to the deadly forces of overheated skillets and poor flipping techniques, the rest usually turn out great. But I always expect the first on to be a little burnt and to have an edge folded under.

Well, folks. That's life.

Expect the first attempt to be bad. Expect to be burned. Whether it's in relationships, a new hobby, going back to school, or achieving any other goal, expect failure.

Failure allows us to make adjustments. It allows us to learn, grows our character, humbles us, and if we let it, pulls us closer to God.

So you were burned in a relationship? Clean up the mess, wipe out the skillet, make your adjustments and try again. Now you know not to move so fast. Now you know how you can treat the next person better. Now you know there are some things you don't have to put up with. Now you know you can leave. Now you know your worth.

So you didn't achieve your fitness goals this year? Now you know you can't have five cheat days. Now you know you have to be more dedicated to working out. Now you know that importance of having Fitbit family. (Love my Fitbit fam!)

So you aren't progressing spiritually like you wanted? Now you know your struggles. No you know the areas you need healing in. Now you know where the bitterness is hiding. Now you see the importance of accountability.

I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so this can be hard for me. I like to get things right the first time. If I don't, I get discouraged and angry at myself. If we always got everything right the first time, life would be really boring. We would have a static existence. There would be no need or opportunity for growth. I'm learning to appreciate my burnt pancakes. My failures can shape me and grow me, but they'll never define me.

(For music's sake, check out "Survivor" by Tim Halperin. It kind of fits the theme, but really I just love him and want everyone to hear his lovely tunes.)