"Do Not!!!"...Oh well, "Do-Nuts!"

I’m not sure if it is the freezing temps lately that started my neck to hurt again since yesterday. As I got used to waking up early to prepare my husband’s sack lunches, though I’m not working today, Saturday, I found myself searching for the glowing hands of the clock and saw it was only 4 a.m.

Some days when I am not scheduled to work because the shifts have adequate number of staff working, I end up searching deep within.  Though contented at home and I truly enjoy keeping our abode clean and preparing hot meals for my boys, I feel like I’m not doing enough sometimes.

I felt a surge of a spasm-like on the left side of my neck and that electrifying pain somehow made me crave for donuts! Staying away from too sugary foods for a while now that seemed to benefit my family and I’s health. I  had not vowed though to stay away from deep fried foods. But at my workplace, whenever a few nurses would come with their hands carrying those huge boxes of donuts, I tried to look away and kept telling myself “DO-NOT!!!”…But there are those times when…

Ouch! I felt my left shoulder so achy but the thoughts of donuts were making me much more wide awake. I remembered I had bought a can of refrigerated biscuits from the organic store few days ago that had lesser sugar, with unbleached flour and lesser saturated fat. So I thought…Why not? And surprise my 2 boys who were still active in their dreamland.

I never told anyone and mulled to keep it a secret that I hated those popping sound from the canister of that can of biscuits as if it would explode in my face. So, I put my glasses on (Just in case...) and tore the wrapping and push a spoon to let those prepared dough say "Hello!" I had no choice but to do it myself since I wanted to surprise my boys.

making holes with a melon baller

Oh...Looking good already!!!

Except I couldn't go anywhere as they browned too fast!

I thought...I had to thank my neck pain. The only time that made me do something that made me forget the pain...

Chocolate glaze...Maple Sugar...No!!! I better stick to raw sugar and organic powdered sugar!

Of all mornings, with pain in my neck, this was the morning I got up with a smile and looked forward to greeting my boys when they wake up and I couldn't wait to see their eyes to grow big and a smile when they see that the "do-nots!" are going to be in front of them to be savored.

I took a bite with a cup of coffee (Of course, I'll eat with my boys again...) and as I felt the pain on my neck and shoulder alleviating a bit, I thought how back then, I preferred indulgence to hard work and preferred hard work to be rewarded and be praised. But a true servant of Christ, with the renewing of our minds, tend to work hard even when no one notices. Because deep inside, I know... God does...Anywhere...Anytime...

I remembered this from Booker Washington: "Almost any individual can succeed in legitimate enterprise that he sets his heart upon, if he is willing to pay the price, in most cases, is being willing to toil when others are resting, being willing to work when others are sleeping, being willing to put forth the severest effort when there is no one to see or applaud. It is comparatively easy to find people who are willing to work when the world is looking on and ready to give applause, but very hard to find those who are willing to work in the corner or a midnight, when there is no watchful eye or anyone to give applause..."

Do you feel inadequate at times? Never take anything that you do lightly for even little things like your ability to write, you don't know how many hearts are lifted and soothed when they visit your blogs...Including mine...

I checked on my boys. Tucked and sleeping cozily under their blankets. I kissed my son and whispered "I love you..." Not moving, very much drowsy, he tried to acknowledge but became still again. I closed his door and then, checked on my husband who woke up at the faintest sound of my footstep and asked me if I was okay and how I was feeling...

"Better..." I replied (as I felt a grainy sugar on one corner of my lips). We hugged each other and I kissed him and whispered, "I love you..." (as my tongue took a swipe with the secret topping).

The countdown began in my mind...Awaiting for the surprise downstairs. I knew....

"There's a fulfilling joy that comes from serving not only my family but with others. The do-nuts were not just for me...It was for my loving husband and son this morning...Because they bless me with their love. The way God blessed me first...

the "do-nots! await..oh by the way, the holes I rolled 'em in cinnamon sugar...

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. - Proverbs 11:25 (NLT)