Life in the Kitchen

While in Denver, Carl and I, along with dear friends, signed up for a hands-on cooking class at Sur La Table. Now let me tell you — this wasn’t your average “stand back and take notes” kind of night. No, sir-ee! We had aprons on, knives in hand, woks sizzling, and eyebrows raised.

The theme? Date Night – Touring Southeast Asia. The result? Four delicious dishes and one unforgettable evening.

There were four cooking groups. Ours? A mighty trio: Carl, our friend Ron Mullen, and yours truly. (Our sweet Lynnda stayed home to care for their under-the-weather pup — and perhaps unknowingly dodged a culinary crisis.)

Now, full confession: if there had been a prize for “Most Likely to Burn Water,” our group would’ve won hands-down. We were the “special needs” team — self-named, joyfully clueless, and laughing the whole way through.

We chopped. We stirred. We dropped things. Our menu included Shrimp Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce, Lemongrass and Chile Grilled Chicken, Fresh Rice Noodle Salad, and for dessert — Cream Puffs with Coffee Cream.

At one point, soy sauce may have gone airborne. Our spring rolls looked more like burritos, and our cream puffs… well, they could’ve doubled as coasters. Interpretive art, we called it!

But here’s the miracle: it was delicious. And even better, it was fun.

That night reminded me of something important:
We’re all in life’s kitchen — learning, stumbling, burning a few things, and hopefully laughing as we go.

Not everyone’s life is Michelin-starred. Some of us are holding it together with duct tape and prayer. But when we show up, offer what we have, and let the Master Chef take the lead — something beautiful always comes out.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” — Psalm 34:8

So if you feel like you’re in life’s “special needs” group — welcome. God’s not looking for perfect chefs. Just willing hearts.

And that’s when grace shows up… with the yummiest meal yet!