I have a pie-us heritage. Stories of hired girls making staggering amount of pies for my Grandpappy Rhodes family during their growing up years, still circle the community. (I want to say it was 12 pies the first part of the week and 14 the end of the week but I’m having trouble remembering for sure) “We Rhodes’s love a good pie” has been stated over and over.

The honest truth is- growing up, my family didn’t include many pie loving Rhodes’s and pies didn’t often grace our table. There are so many gifts from my mother’s Rhodes Heritage: butcher days, homemade potato chips, big gardens- living off the land… But pies aren’t something I’m all about.

Typically…

But the season of life that I’m currently in is anything but typical. I told my sisters recently that all my preconceived notions about this journey are out the window. And I’m hungry for absolutely nothing. Except a random cheeseball, an Arby’s roast beef sandwich, and pie. 🤔

Which is why, when Ben’s family started making meal plans for a Thanksgiving feast- there was Kendra frantically waving her hand in the air: “Pick me! I’ll bring pie!”

So my Friday was consumed with pie baking. As my finger’s clumsily made their way around the edge of the crusts attempting to crimp the edges, I remembered how Aunt Janet flies around the edge making an elaborate design and Ben’s Aunt published a cookbook with an entire section dedicated to pies only. I told myself that NEXT time I was gonna wait to see what they assigned me instead of volunteering like an eager beaver.

But then Ben came in and raved over how excited he was and the pies didn’t totally flop and the lessons in my head continued. There’s no reason to give up just because perfection isn’t achieved from the start. Life is all about trying, and learning, and trying again. It’s so easy to stay in the comfort zone where I know my limitations and am happy to steer clear. But that’s not a place of growth.

I need to remember this lesson. If I’m completely honest- this journey to motherhood feels the same as my pie baking lesson except times 1000. I’m so excited about this gift and opportunity and yet I’m frighteningly aware of how limited my parenting skills are.

Deut 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Isaiah 43: 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Philippians 4: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So here’s to being brave and stepping out in faith knowing that God is able even when we aren’t perfect and we fail. I wish I could hear how He’s calling you out of your comfort zone.

Maybe we could get together for testimonies and coffee? And I might even bring pie.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend from me and 3 of my favorite turkeys,

Kendra