Eat a Little Burnt Biscuit for Be Kind to Humankind Week
For the next seven days I’m taking a challenge to amp up my intentional kindness. So start thinking of ways you might take part in the challenge with me.
I recently read a story I’d like to share with you:
Burnt Biscuits ~ Author Unknown
When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.
On that evening, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed!
Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don’t remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!
When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I’ll never forget what he said: ‘Honey, I love burned biscuits.’
Later that night, I went to kiss Dad good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, ‘Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she’s real tired. And besides – a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!’
Life is full of imperfect things…..and imperfect people.
I’m gifted at imperfection. I forget birthdays and anniversaries. I forget to return phone calls. I am easily distracted, so getting my undivided attention is sometimes challenging. I need forgiveness and patience.
Being kind and loving to other imperfect people is key to creating healthy, growing, and lasting relationships.
But how…
How do we bring kindness to those relationships that make us crazy? How do we show kindness to annoying acquaintances? How do we offer kindness to rude strangers?
How do we handle the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of life and cover them with kindness?
We lay every annoying imperfection at the feet of God, because He is the Only One able to give us relationships where a burnt biscuit isn’t a big deal! Where loving the biscuit burner is more important than our taste buds.
I’m blessed to share my life with a man who has eaten more than his share of burnt biscuits. A man who repeats conversations when I’m inattentive. One who is patient and forgiving.
When our children were young, Rev made a rule that if they complained about dinner . . . they earned the privilege of doing the dishes. Like the father in the story above, he taught them by example to value the things that make for healthy lasting relationships. Relationships where eating a burnt biscuit for the sake of a tired momma’s feelings isn’t a big deal! It’s love.
So, this week let’s be intentional about showing kindness, let’s work on our relationships even when it means we eat a little burnt biscuit.
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15
Hi Deb! What a sweet story to frame your intention of kindness. I’ve had my share of ‘burnt biscuits’ in my life, that’s for sure. I don’t think I handled them quite as well as this man did.
I’ll remember this post as I go through my Monday, and hope that I can chow down on the less- than- fun parts of my day, knowing that in the end, it’s not going to hurt me!
blessings,
Ceil
Thanks Ceil. I love this story. It’s a great reminder that I can choose to focus on people over circumstances, and each time I do I’m showing grace and kindness.
Loving our Grace-giver and letting His grace overflow to those around me. Blessings to you too!
Don’t we all need forgiveness and patience?! What a lovely, gentle reminder.
Thanks Kelly! We would all be much happier in the end. Blessings to you!
I enjoyed this so much! Not only had I heard this little story of burnt biscuits before, I once lived in a city where one of the TV news stations had a weekly Burnt Biscuit Award. The beauty in this story is indeed attitude and love. Like you, I am blessed to have a man who’s eaten his share of burnt biscuits and who is patiently loving and kind. Your post is a beautiful reminder of all these things. Stopped in from Kelli’s linkup at Unforced Rhythms.
Sherrey, Being blessed with men who patiently “eat burnt biscuits” is one of the Lord’s greatest gifts. What a fun idea for a news station to encourage kindness by sharing those stories. Thanks for visiting and stopping to say hello. Enjoy a blessing-filled day!
What a beautiful place our world would be if we extended a little more grace to each other. It means to such to mean when people graciously eat my burnt biscuits and need to do a better job of accepting them from others. Thank you for linking with Unforced Rhythms.
Thank you Beth. A gentler kinder place . . . sounds like heaven. 🙂 Practicing kindness is a wonderful place for each one of us to begin. Blessings!
I Love this story. Thank you for the reminder. My Nana burnt the biscuits every year at Christmas. Those brown and serve ones. Because she would get too wrapped up in something else. I remember the first Christmas after she died when mom cooked the biscuits and didn’t burn them. It just didn’t seem right. I wanted to rush back in and burn them on purpose. Embracing imperfections can be embracing the real person. I hope my daughters can see that in me. Don’t we all really wish that for our children?
Amber, what a sweet and fun memory of your Nana. The first time I visited at my future mother-in-love’s home, she wanted everything to be perfect. She’d cooked turkey for years, but this time it cooked dry. She was so upset, she jumped into the car to run to the grocery store for gravy and backed into a tree next to their driveway. All of her efforts were the result of her loving nature. It’s a blessing to be able to look past the mess to the heart . . . as you said, “embracing the real person.” Your daughters have a very wise mom.
I love this! It is so true… and we have to be intentional about being kind. Sometimes it comes naturally, but I have found that when it is needed the most, it has been harder – but doable, if I am intentional about it! We are neighbors today over at Holly’s! So glad I stopped by!
You’re right Karrilee. Intentional kindness takes more effort but is definitely worth it. I’ve also found that working to make kindness a habit (something I do without having to think about it) makes it easier. I also believe it increases our patience level which, in this age of hurry, is a blessing all its own.
Deb, what a great story. I stopped by from The Loft where we are sharing funny things this week. Thanks for joining us.
I love funny! I’ll have to stop back over and read the new additions.