PANDEMIC PANCAKES

Our just-for-grandchildren bookshelf has several “visiting grandma/grandpa” books with pasted-in headshots of the grandparents and grandchild. The fiction boy goes fishing with his grandpa and plants flowers and makes cookies with his grandma.  Not at our house! Grandpa scoops up ice cream cones and Grandma cooks Norwegian sour cream pancakes. The recipe honors the heritage of my grandfather, who died just months after I was born. The pancakes also royally feed the grands when we’re called to their home for early-morning kid-care when their dad’s gone to work and the mom has early morning staff meetings. 

Covid-19 concerns had cut her in-person staff meetings, so we hadn’t done the early breakfast duty at their home for months until one recent week. This time, she needed to shut herself away in a quiet room at a time when the boys—ages 2, 5, and 6—would be up and ready for breakfast. Oops. I had a long-overdue dental appointment in the middle of that time slot, and my husband was to meet somebody who wanted to buy a bike. But we’d make it work.

When we arrived with pancakes at 7 a.m., two were up and ready to eat as their dad slipped out to go to work and their mom went upstairs for her virtual conference. So far, so good. I left for the dentist at 7:45, and got back at 8:15 as Grandpa left. Just then, the oldest hollered, “The cat vomited on the rug!”  That crisis past, I checked the remainder of the pancake pile and decided the still-sleeping boy would have enough to eat.  Which he did—at 10 a.m., when he woke up just as his mom finished her virtual meeting. Whew! After a full morning of waitressing, entertaining, and settling spats, this seventy-something Nana was ready for her afternoon nap, a few hours early!

I’m glad the grandsons like pancakes! When little kids can be so fussy about menus, it’s a sure thing. I’m also glad that my “Bible-menu” over the years has included scripture portions that nourish and energize me. When I read my Bible in the morning and evening, I keep coming across reminders that God is in control, even in the most difficult circumstances. Like this: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7). 

This worldwide time of illness, suffering and death hasn’t caught God by surprise. It can be our opportunity to show the world what faith can do. Peter also said, “If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)

I like “for ever and ever.” The means beyond Covid-19. Beyond my earthly life. Beyond the last pancake I will flip for my growing grandsons.  When the dreary drone of disaster on the daily news drags me down, this promise lifts me up.