Thursday, January 24, 2019

No Excuses Needed for Cake




I was comforted when I read Simeon Zahl's entry in my daily devotion book where he wrote about the account of Elijah from First Kings, Chapter 19.

Zahl said that Elijah was "doing his very best to have a Thelma & Louise moment." Elijah was so low that he asked God to end his life. 

God didn't do that and instead of bawling him out, God had compassion on him and said, "The journey is too great for you."

God doesn't tell Elijah to put on his big boy pants and get back to the great job appointed him, and he doesn't guilt trip him, either. 

Instead, Zahl says, "God just gives him cake. And lets him sleep. And then gives him cake again."



I could put the rest in my own words but why try when Zahl says it so very well:


It is humiliating to hear that sometimes, when we think we are wrestling with angels, we are mainly just tired and hungry...The worst attack of anxiety we can experience is, in the end, mainly the product of a couple of temporary chemical reactions in the chest and stomach.
Simeon Zahl in the
Mockingbird Devotional


So take heart, dear friends, if we're having a really rough day, maybe what we most need is a piece of homemade cake and a good night's sleep.

But then we should never have to look for an excuse to bake a cake, should we? And here's a scrumptious recipe from the Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, Alabama for Sorghum Spice Cake.




It's our new favorite cake for winter and please take their advice and serve it with Rum Raisin ice cream for an amazing combination.



You may not need an excuse for cake but I admit to always looking for a Biblical excuse to eat something wonderful, even posting about it here in Hannah Ate and Her Face Was No Longer Sad. 

So don't underestimate the power of a good meal followed by a good dessert if things are looking down. And be sure to follow it up with a good winter night's sleep!

Don't even think about trying this--


I promise you, cake is a much better choice!


22 comments:

  1. I really, really like this. I suspect more mental problems than we know about are caused by not eating, or eating the wrong foods. They used to even say that artificial colors and flavors increased ADHD. "You are what you eat." I really believe it. And homemade cake is always a good thing. Time for me to make one! Thanks.

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  2. You can't beat a piece of home-made cake and a nice cup of tea :)

    All the best Jan

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  3. Food keeps our bodies' chemicals regulated - and sometimes the comfort of cake and tea has a mental effect as well. Love this post!

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  4. I love this post, Dewena. Such a simple -- and delightful -- remedy.

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  5. You are so right. Sometimes we need to just treat ourselves with something pleasing to our palate. For me that is frozen yogurt or chocolate. Yum! I know when kids get cranky a lot of the time they are just hungry. I now understand the term hangry.

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  6. Oh! I looked up the recipe and I also love rum and raisin ice-cream. I may have to bake a cake. It's for a good reason.

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  7. I love this post, Dewena. And I completely agree. Many problems of the world have been solved at a kitchen table, while enjoying a nice piece of cake and a lovely cup of coffee or tea. Followed by a good nights sleep. Thank you also for the recipe - I will give it a try.

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  8. There's nothing like a piece of cake and hot cup of coffee. Your cake looks scrumptious, Dewena, and Rum Raisin ice cream sounds Yummy. I like your picture of all the baking goodies. I enjoy baking as well and just made a batch of brownies. Enjoy the cake!

    love, ~Sheri

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  9. If my pants were so tight lately, I'd be baking a cake tomorrow! That looks mighty delicious. I have indeed had a very bad day, but I think I'll just have to try your other remedy, and that would be to try and get that good night's sleep. xoxo

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  10. I always think Cake is a good thing!!!! Hope you are having a good start to the weekend.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  11. What a great post, Deweena! I am tired and discouraged today, the weather has been dreadful here in Kansas (though I know it is ten times worse in the northeast) and despite my best care, I fell last night on ice. It brings it home to me I am here alone, and what could go wrong. I love cake... I think I need to count my blessings and have some!

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  12. Oh my, I really want a slice and the ice cream sounds fantastic.

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  13. I can't think of a better excuse for a piece of cake than a biblical one! Looks delicous!

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  14. The cake looks amazing, Deweena, and I quite agree - a piece of homemade cake and a good night's sleep are a perfect remedy for many of life's challenges. I would add a hug and a cup of tea, just to be on the safe side.
    Amalia
    xo

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  15. If you ever have the bad luck to be around me when I’m hangry, trust me, you would personally put me in a car and push it over the nearest cliff.

    Or you could consider baking me a cake. Preferably chocolate AND coconut. (Not really into ‘spices’ but I can see how it might be lovely with some tea.)

    xxx

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  16. Sweet, sweet Dewena, good morning! How I remember my mother's cake making.....to this day when I smell a chocolate cake being made, how the memories come back. I have been blessed with a very acute memory, and I live on them. Cake making, yes, let us return to these things that bring us innocent and simple pleasures! Thank you sweet lady, for visiting my blog.

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  17. Thanks Dewena! I needed this today. Off to make a cake....xo

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  18. Cake is always a great thing...regardless of the situation! Being Southern Baptist, a good cake recipe is never far away! I made Gingerbread cake today...the hubster and I have enjoyed it very much! Love the devotional! Hope you are doing well sweet friend! Love and hugs!

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  19. I had to look up what sorghum was - I love spica cake and that looks delicious. I enjoyed reading your post.

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  20. I am saving this one!! I like the quantity of butter :-) ... and other things.

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  21. OMG ...I really want a bit of your delicious cake ..YUMMY.. Your post reminded me of simplier days at the lake with grandma baking up a storm of cookies and pies and unpidedown cake... I can smell it all now...So that for the sweet memories...Hugs

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  22. I can so see this scrumptious sounding Sorghum Spice cake in a pretty display case of a charming, main street bakery, in small town USA, but also in the fancy bakery section of a modern, streamlined supermarket in a big city! BUT, topped off with a scoop of that Rum Raisin ice-cream, it BEST fits into...my tummy!

    Thanks for sharing it and your cozy pics with us!

    Poppy

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