Children are so innocent in their beliefs. They view the world as it should be.
When I was a child, I thought birds were filled with our hopes, our dreams, our very spirits – set free to take to the skies. I thought the rays of sun breaking through the dark clouds after a rainstorm was God’s way of reminding us that He is watching over us. And that the first golden rays of morning light were angels descending from heaven.
There is a part of me that wants so very much to cling to these unrealistic childish notions. It’s a struggle. I worry that the only way to hold onto that child-like innocence is to shut out the world. Turn off the news. Refuse to listen to the anger and the hatred. Bury myself. But there is a problem with that. When we shut out the world, that separation requires us to sever any interaction with the world around us.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.
We need to get angry. We need to speak out. We need to take action. We also need to shield ourselves from the hatred, from the cruelty that is around us. We can do both. All those things I saw as a child are true. We do have the ability to soar. God does smile down even in a storm. Angels do walk among us. Believe. Believe like a child, but remember, we are called to be His soldiers. Greet the morning with the heart of a lion.
Crumb Topped Allspice Muffins
Streusel Topping
5 tablespoons Butter
1/2 cup Flour
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Allspice
Cut butter into small pieces, wrap in plastic and place in the freezer to chill until ready to use.
Center a rack in the oven and heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter or spray the 12 molds in a regular-size muffin pan or line with paper cups. Place the muffin pan on a baking sheet.
In a small bowl whisk the flour, brown sugar, and allspice together to combine. Add the bits of cold butter and toss, pinching the mixture between your fingers, until you have pea-sized crumbs. Set aside in the refrigerator.
Allspice Muffins
8 tablespoons Butter
2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Sugar
1 tablespoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Allspice
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
2 large Eggs
3/4 cup Milk
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla
Melt butter in a bowl in the microwave, allow butter to cool.
In a large bowl whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, allspice, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the brown sugar, making certain there are no lumps.
To the cool melted the butter whisk in the eggs, milk and vanilla until well combined. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and with the whisk or a rubber spatula, gently but quickly stir to blend. The batter will be lumpy; that is how it should be.
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Sprinkle streusel over each muffin, then use your fingertips to gently press the crumbs into the batter.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a thin knife inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing each muffin.
Lord, let Your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in You.
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