rescued

GUEST WRITER:

JEANINE ALVES

RESCUED


Fortunately, my family likes Banana Bread!
Bananas are a favorite fruit in our house, but when there's an extended period of steamy days and nights it's pretty hard to keep a banana overnight, let alone for a few days, without its becoming black and squishy. I'm glad I learned that when this happens, you can throw them into the freezer 'as is' and retrieve and thaw them later. It always amazes me that something so visually unappealing and sometimes (depending on the extent of degeneration) almost physically revolting, can be turned into something we find so yummy and enjoy so much. At the sight of yet another bar of Banana Bread in the kitchen today I was reminded of how the bananas were like relationships in a way. A relationship goes through stages - first "green", perhaps a bit hard and not as enjoyable as it may become later if left to develop; then maturing to a sweet ripeness as time and warmth have an effect. Sadly some relationships then "go bad", due to being left aside for a long time, or because of a period of extreme conditions. I am encouraged to think this may be a retrievable situation, as the "rotten bananas" are attended to and treated to make something good and satisfying. I also like to think that this may apply not only to our relationships with each other, but also with regard to our relationship with God; that we never need feel we have let things slip too far, that we can be taken out of the freezer and remade into something useful and appreciated. Even now I have a backlog of bananas taking up space in my freezer, and I know I must deal with them soon. I hope I am not as neglectful of the relationships in my life and that after periods of "heat" we can work things out to produce something good. And I am thankful that God, our Heavenly Father, has been able to rescue me from my rotten state, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Praise Him! 

Our Favorite Banana Bread Recipe
Banana Bread Recipe: 3 small to medium bananas, mashed (good cup or so) 1½ cups self-raising flour ½ teaspoon salt 60g shortening (butter or cooking margarine) 1 large egg 1 level tablespoons golden syrup 3 tablespoons milk A greased and lined loaf tin for baking Beat the butter or margarine; add the sugar and cream them together. Add the bananas with the egg and syrup and mix well. Lastly add the sifted flour and salt alternately with the milk. Bake on the centre shelf of a moderate oven (around 180 degrees C) for up to an hour, depending on your oven.
(P.S. To save time and hassle, I have found it is possible to throw all the ingredients into the bowl of the electric mixer and beat until well combined - seems to taste the same!)

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