Of Peace and Pancakes

I handed my boy his plate of pancakes this morning. I had prepared those pancakes in a foul mood. I am not going to lie, there was some yelling in the kitchen and some unkind words spoken under my breath as my children seemed to be doing anything (and everything) to interrupt and completely derail the making of said pancakes. A couple times I found myself struggling with the simplicity of making this morning's meal. Wouldn't it just be easier to drive through Starbucks??? No. NO. Homemade, nourishing pancakes complete with ground flaxseed and only the finest of organic ingredients. That's better, right? I was not so sure...since I think I added a few ingredients: spite, anger and a dash of resentment. I am not proud. But, I am human.
I digress. I handed my boy his plate of pancakes, and this came out of his mouth: "Those are some ugly pancakes." Those are some ugly pancakes? Seriously? These pancakes that I prepared for you and your sister when I didn't even want to? The pancakes I made while my head was pounding, while the dog was barking, while the phone was ringing, while the laundry was waiting, while my back was aching, while my to-do list was pulsing, while you and your sister were running around like wild beasts? Those very pancakes? At that moment, I could have thrown those pancakes against the wall. I could have given up and given in. I could have. I didn't.
Like a flash through my mind I understood the moment that had presented itself. I sat down, took a deep breath and said "What they look like on the outside says nothing about their quality on the inside." There, we have it. A morning of awful pancake prep turned into a discussion with my children about looking deeper into situations, people and even pancakes to find the qualities that make them what or who they are. I couldn't help but give myself a few moments of grace realizing that this morning I looked like a crazy, bitter, overwhelmed mother...those ugly pancakes reminded me to look beyond that moment and honor what I am inside and forgive.
This journey I am on...that we all are on, presents lessons at the oddest moments. One just needs to be open and aware of the path towards peace. I am trying. Everyday.