I don’t know about you, but I love to cook. And eat. The eating really prompts me to cook and cook well, I might add. Once we discovered that my family had Celiac’s disease, we entered into a whole new world of cooking and baking. Although, things are much easier now with an abundance of delicious gluten-free ingredients, when we started this journey, these items were not available or were cost prohibitive. So, I muddled my way through and came through it pretty proficiently.

My goal is to make things that people wouldn’t know were gluten free. I feel a thrill when someone tastes a cake or dessert and asks, “This is gluten free?” So recipes have become a hobby…collecting, reading, and reviewing. I have discovered quite a vast number of recipes, some great and some terrible.

I haven’t perfected the art of knowing whether a recipe is good or bad without trying it first. Reviews are helpful, but not always accurate.

Case in point: last year, I was going to try a new peach pie recipe for our dear friend Rick. He is a southern boy, born and raised, and loves himself some peach pie! I had a lot to live up to…mainly his grandma’s homemade peach pie that would make angels weep! Whew…ok…here we go!

I researched and found what I thought was a good recipe. This was a birthday pie, in March, when peaches are NOT in season in New England! The recipe declared I was able to use frozen peaches and they would be just a delicious as fresh…don’t buy it!

I set about my task of making the pie crust, which will absolutely bring you to the edge of sanity if you forget to roll it out between plastic wrap. And plastic wrap, was created by the devil, along with pantyhose, but I digress. After much prayer and many hallelujahs, I set aside the crust and began working on the peach filling. Following the directions to a tee, I confidently filled up the awaiting crust and covered and fluted the top crust. I daintily painted the crust with a milk wash, sprinkled sugar to make is sparkly and beautiful, and popped it into the oven.

The wait was long…but finally the timer beeped and we all looked in awe at my first peach pie. Gingerly, I place it on the pie rack to cool. Boy did it look good! We loaded it with candles and presented it to the birthday boy! “Happy birthday to you…”

I’d like to say we gobbled it down with abandon, but the truth is we choked it down. It was awful. The peaches were hard. There was no juice to soak into the crust. I was so embarrassed, angry, and disappointed. Poor Rick. He tried to make me feel better. My husband, Keith, tried to console me too, but I was, well, let’s say, not having a good day.

Recently, I tried this process again. I used fresh peaches and a recipe that is over 40 years old. Success!!! Delicious…I even ate if for breakfast the next day. Don’t judge me!

So what is the point of this post? Pie? Recipes? What I realized through this process of failure and success is that, what we base our products or lives on matters. The recipe we use for life is crucial for success, for thriving and not just surviving. What do you use as your guide for life? Is it the always changing culture that dictates what you believe? Is it the advice of friends who may or may not have your best interest at heart?

As for me, I have chosen to use the Bible as my recipe for life. It never changes. Its constancy proves its eternal value and perspective. The ingredients the Bible calls for are always in season and available everywhere, and they’re gluten free! I never have to worry about the cost of these ingredients, because Jesus has paid my bill in full!

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Peter 1: 3-4

So if you are finding that your life is not where you thought it would be or where you want it to be, maybe you should try a new recipe. Maybe the answers you’ve been looking are right there on the pages of your Bible. I can’t promise an easy time of it, but I can promise you that you will be given all you need, never be alone, and be transformed into something better.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord–who is the Spirit–makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3: 18

Don’t let failure stop you! Seek…search…pray! Jesus is so close and He has the best life-recipe of all!

Here is the link to the delicious Peach Pie recipe. I will spare you the recipe to the other one…you’re welcome!!!

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/peach-pie/print

Here is my favorite gluten free pie crust recipe.

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/gluten-free-pie-crust-recipe

Won’t you share your favorite recipes with us? Life is best shared!!!