Just Add Vinegar?

I read a devotion to my kids this morning about obedience.  In it there is a story of a little girl who follows a recipe for cake.  This cake has a little vinegar in it.  The girl doesn’t understand why a recipe would call for that, but she obeys and puts it in.  Later, her daddy says, “What makes this cake taste so good?”  And she replies, “Vinegar!”  The lesson goes on to say that many times God puts something in our lives and asks us to obey, but we often don’t understand why.  Why did a guy I dated in college die from hemophilia at the age of 20?  Why did I go through such a difficult bout of depression when I was engaged to be married?

This lesson about vinegar challenges me.  There are times in my life that things go sour and I think, “Ugh! Why can’t this just stop?” 

Today is one of those days.  I want to go to the KSBJ 25th Anniversary concert, but I can’t go if it is raining because I have to go with my kids by myself.  My husband works late tonight and can’t attend.  Going anywhere in the rain by myself with the kids is not a great idea!

I wanted to spend a fun day at home with the kids.  We were going to put on a puppet show.  Instead, I got two very fussy, bickering children who can’t seem to go 10 minutes without screaming or saying, “Meanie! You are a meanie!”  Several time outs later, and I feel like I could be a meanie!  Sigh, I am a good parent only through God’s grace.  Yet somedays they really test me!

Then I realize there is a reason for the vinegars of life.  It is to compliment the rest of life.  Honestly, what is a salad without a good salad dressing?  Or a brisket without a good barbecue sauce?  And how can anyone treat a sour load of laundry?  Vinegar!  1/2 cup of vinegar, wash again, and life is as good as new!

Now, excuse me while I deal with my 4 year old son.  He’s screaming, “Meanie!” at his sister again!

Chocolate Vinegar Cake

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups cake or all-purpose flour

Sift above together into a mixing bowl.  Melt 2 squares bitter chocolate.  To the dry ingredients add:

1/2 c shortening

1 1/4 cup cold coffee in which 1 tsp. baking soda has been dissolved plus 1 tsp vanilla

Mix slowly until the flour is all wet, add melted chocolate and 2 whole eggs, beat 4 minutes. 

Have pan buttered and oven heated and then add 1 tablespoon vinegar.  Stir just long enough to mix it into the batter and IMMEDIATELY pour into pans (loaf cake–9×12 inch or so) and put right into the oven as the leaven begins to work (as soon as the soda and vinegar get together).  Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees, until the cake springs when lightly touched with a finger.