A few weeks ago, my pastor said that when you ask God for things, such as patience, that God doesn’t just give you patience. Instead, he gives you opportunities in which you can develop patience. Well, God was giving me quite an opportunity today as I baked blueberry muffins with two of my kids. If I had done the job myself, it would have taken about 25 minutes. With the help of three-year-old twins, it took an hour.

We currently have colds, and I wanted to skip the baking. Mila was so excited about it though. She never forgets anything, so I knew I couldn’t go back on my promise to make them this morning.

Needless to say, these muffins will not be shared with anyone outside our family. We have the most germ-filled blueberry muffins in the country. Since the entire family is sick, I guess a few more germs won’t hurt us.

It was impossible to keep their little hands out of the batter. Mila is ever so sneaky about it, too. I’d run to the pantry or refrigerator to grab an ingredient, and I’d come back to catch her pulling her finger away. Of course, she puts on an innocent act and proclaims that she didn’t touch it. We’re working on the honesty thing right now.

With both of them assisting me in the kitchen, I had to carefully divide up pouring and stirring duties. Mila and Eli obviously think I have no short-term memory because they felt the need to tell me nearly every five seconds who’s turn it was.

“It’s my turn, Mommy,” said Mila. Then Eli said, “I want to do it. I want to do it.”

Performing my good motherly duties, I reminded them that they had to be patient. Then Eli gave the spoon an energetic run around the bowl, creating a dust cloud of flour and sugar.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Don’t stir it too hard. You have to stir gently, Eli,” I exclaimed.

I quickly came to the realization that my definition of “gently” and a three-year-old child’s definition of “gently” are amazingly different.

By this time, Mila, who’s so perceptive for her age that it’s comical, senses that I’m getting a little frustrated with the growing mess on the table and floor.

“Calm down, Mommy. Take a deep breath,” she said.

Isn’t that hysterical? Yes, I also have to practice what I preach to them. I have to learn to have patience, too. It’s too bad there’s not a step-by-step recipe for that.

There’s nothing like having your kid speak the truth to you. I’m thanking God for the opportunity I had today to develop patience and the sweet little memory I made with Mila and Eli in the process. However, I’m not ready to ask God for patience again tomorrow. Maybe I’ll ask for a maid instead.

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