Sometimes I just crave banana nut bread. I imagine a fresh slice with light butter next to steaming cup of coffee. I give little hints to the ladies about that from time to time.
“Sure would love some banana nut bread one of these days.” I frequently say to the girls. Lois always says the same thing. “Pick up the ingredients and I will make you some.” And then I get something else on my mind and forget.
One winter morning on the way out the door I said, “Why don’t you ever make banana nut bread?” Lois said, “Because you never remember to bring me the ingredients.”
My thoughts shifted to my work. I had calls to make. I drove across town to the neat little home of a widow in our church and knocked on the door. She was eager to visit. She let me in and said, “Excuse me pastor, I need to get some baking out of the oven.”
“What are you baking?” I asked, but I knew the answer before I asked the question.
“Banana bread.”
“With nuts?”
“Yes, always with nuts.” I smiled. God is good. My mouth watered.
We visited for about a half hour the smell of the bread lingering in the air. I kept wondering how long it would take the bread to cool. Finally I pretended to leave. “Well, I’d better get going,” I said waiting for her to offer me some of the fresh baked bread. She stood and thanked me for my visit. I prayed with her and said goodbye.
I walked dejectedly to the car, started it up and drove slowly away. I watched the door thinking any moment it would fly open and I would be on my way with a loaf of fresh baked banana bread. It never did. Sometimes it is impossible to know why some things happen. I still think about that every once and a while. I suppose even though God loves me he knows it is important to remind me from time to time that the whole world doesn’t revolve around me. All Banana nut bread does not belong to me.
This story “mysteriously” leaked out and other bakers in the church made me banana nut bread to compensate for the cruel disappointment I had suffered. Oh, it was good, even though I had to use questionable methods to get it. Good coffee and warm banana nut bread are strong consolation when you are recovering from bitter disappointment. If you are capable of making good banana nut bread you might want to remember that if you ever see anyone around who looks disconsolate.
Kenneth L. Pierpont
[email protected]
Riverfront Character Inn International Conference Center
Flint, Michigan
July 14, 2003
