God Teaches Patience In The Strangest Ways

Bennie Wafers. A Charleston Christmas Tradition.

God teaches patience in the most unique ways. I love Bennie Wafers. If you are 'from off' as we say, you will not understand. Bennie Wafers are a very sweet cracker made from bennie seeds, brown sugar, butter (real butter), cinnamon, etc. Beenie Wafers are a Charleston tradition. No table is complete without this wonderful sweet. I usually buy them every year ($3.99 per oz.). This year I decided to make my own.

In the past week, I have mixed dough, adjusted my oven, adjusted the recipe, adjusted my mind! It has taken a week of having walking pneumonia, being on vacation, my child being on vacation with me, taking care of a sick husband, Christmas shopping, cleaning house, wrapping presents, doing laundry, cooking meals and taking an occasional nap to figure out how to make THE BEST COOKIE ON THE PLANET! I have thrown out 2 batches of dough that did not measure up. And I did all of these things by asking the Good Lord to help me with some patience and the ability to enjoy myself. As usual, the Big Guy came thru! Thanks!

In order to make the best cookie on the planet, you need approximately 3 to 4 hours totally free. I mean, no phone calls, no people at the door and very few bathroom runs (have to time them right).

Here we go: (This is where God will teach you patience - making 300 crackers 12 at a time!)

Beenie Crackers:

1 1/2 sticks of butter
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
pinch of salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup toasted bennie seed
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all together and drop 1/4 teaspoon 1 inch apart on parchment paper placed on a cookie sheet. Bake 325 degrees for any where between 8 minutes and 15 minutes, it's according to your oven. They are done when you see tiny holes all over the cracker. Be sure to watch carefully.

You will learn lots of patience standing in front of the oven. God helps you focus on the important things. I've done a lot of thinking standing in front of the oven. How family and friends are what matters. I've been thinking about why I make cookies for my family and friends. Why these wonderful people are so special and how my life would not be complete without them in my life.