Best Taffy On The Block

The sign in the window caught my attention. Don’t know why. We were just strolling down the sidewalk of Depot Bay, leisurely scoping out each little shop, making our way down to the tiny little inlet to watch the fishing boats go in and out. The sign read, “Best Taffy In the World”. I was still new to Oregon, and was not really aware that coast towns have a unique claim to fame when it comes to salt water taffy. Every beach town in Oregon has at least one prominent candy store, maybe more.

We were on our first little trip to the Oregon coast since moving to Oregon. It was kind of a second honeymoon. So we had lots of time to see the sights. I bought a couple dollars worth of the taffy from the candy store, probably two or three of each and every flavor. We continued down the sidewalk looking in windows and going in a few stores. We happened onto another store with another sign in the window. This one read, “Best Taffy in Oregon”. We got a good laugh. Which sign was really true? We crossed the highway and sat on the seawall and watched the waves crashing on the rocks. And ate a few pieces of our new found Oregon treasure.

Eventually we went back and finished our stroll down the street full of small store fronts. And wouldn’t you know, I found another sign in the window of yet another candy store. This one read, “Best Taffy on the Block.” I stared in amazement, not knowing whether to laugh at it, or admire it. I called Carol back to look at the sign, too, and she was just as amused as I was.

I went into that store and bought a whole pound of taffy. I really can’t say if it was better than the other. I couldn’t tell. I gave away what was left of the first candy, the “best taffy in the world”. I found a true treasure – “The Best Taffy On the Block”!

No big claim to fame, just a humble hard-working candy maker. In fact, I stood there in his store and watched as he pulled the taffy and made the candy. I look back, now, and wonder if the other two stores even made their own candy. They probably imported it from Tennessee or New Mexico, then put a sign in their window claiming to be the best.

Consider this little known medical fact: “The person most at risk for heart disease is not the high-powered executive, it’s the frustrated janitor stuck with existential despair.” Don’t worry about being the best in the world, or best in the state. Just make the best taffy on the block and people will be blessed. God is not impressed, like we are, with big numbers, fancy shows, or our self made claim to fame. He is pleased with his servants who are faithful, even in the small things. Do not despair, my friend.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant… Therefore God exalted him to the highest place” (Phil 2:5-9)

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mt 20:26-28)

Burned Biscuits

When I was a girl, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school.

I don't remember what I told him that night, about school. But I do remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your momma put in a long hard day at work today and she's real, real tired. Besides... a burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"

I never forgot that little “life lesson”. Life is full of imperfect things... and imperfect people. I'm not the best at anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others’ faults, appreciating everyone’s best effort, and choosing to celebrate each others’ unique gifts, is one of the most important keys to creating healthy, growing, and lasting relationships.

So...please pass me a biscuit. And yes, the burned one will do just fine!

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly…the tongue that brings healing is a tree of life (Prov 15:1,2,4).

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification… Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you” (Rom 14:19, 15:7).

(Author unknown)