Can you believe this is my first recipe of 2020? And even larger than that, that it’s even 2020? I honestly can’t and am still fighting through that weird transitional period where you become a master in the art of changing a 19 into a 20 every time you write a check. We’ll get there, though. Transitions don’t last forever. Right? Anyway, we’ll get to this Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Cookie recipe in a sec (I’m super excited about this recipe, y’all) but first I want to talk about this trend of finding your “word” for a year. Because I’ve got a serious bone to pick with the one that ended up in my lap.
So you’ve heard of this trend, right? It’s the one where you meditate or pray on your intention for the year and you hope, if you believe, that God will show you the word and subsequent bible verse you need to focus on all year long.
No, it’s not some new-age voodoo. Sure, you might not believe that God can just drop a word in our laps (PSA: you’re wrong. He can because he’s God and He can do what He wants to do) but at least we can acknowledge that focusing in on an intention for any time period, even if you fail and only make it one month or one week, is a good thing.
I’ve done this for the past few years with varying degrees of success. In the past three years, my words have been Plans (Jeremiah 29:11), Grow (Matthew 17:20) and Courage (Deuteronomy 31:6). I see how each of them wove their way into their respective year, and in the case of Jeremiah, through all of them.
The first year, Plans, was a hard year. I was coming off of major heartbreak and life change. I was trying to reinvent myself and figure out who the heck I was. It was tough, but it was also the year when BurntToast was born. Talk about a PLAN I didn’t see coming. The following year, GROW, I initially chose because I expected it would be a year of tremendous growth for the blog. If I’m being honest, I think I chose this one more than God did. It was a good year, BurntToast did grow. But not as much as I thought it would. I, however, grew by leaps and bounds. That was the year I found my backbone, learned how to treat myself and expect the same from others and dug in deep to my relationship with God. And finally, COURAGE. Oh, courage. I didn’t see this one come into play until the last half of the year where we were hit with what felt like stealth missile attack after stealth missile attack. From serious parenting worries and concerns to Connor’s accident to problems with Jeff’s job (and lots of other things in between), it felt like courage was the only thing I needed.
But we made it.
And now here I am, starting a new year with a new word and a new verse. And I gotta say, I’m a little ticked at God about it.
I know some people get weirded out by the thought of God actually speaking to us. I know some people don’t believe in God. I know some people believe in God but not in God talking to us. Fine, whatever. If you’re one of those people and I’ve lost you, I’m #sorrynotsorry, because I believe in all of the above.
It’s not like biblical times, mind you, we don’t stumble on a burning bush or have a dust cloud follow us around (though both would be totally cool and Insta-worthy for sure). It’s not meteoric and dramatic. I guess because God is God and created us and all AND performed the most miracle of all miracles in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus He doesn’t feel like He should have to be so obvious. I tend to agree.
Anywho, the few times I’ve actually heard God it’s not an actual voice. It’s not like a whisper in my ear, though once, prior to Connor’s first surgery it totally was, though that’s a story for another day. It’s more that something presses on my heart, a word, a phrase, something, that I cannot escape. The catch is I have to get quiet enough to let it. Which is tough for me because sitting still and letting my mind rest is not my forte. But after years of realizing that Meaghan is not a nice Meaghan unless she spends a little time in the Word and with the Lord, I’ve become accustomed to doing so.
And this year, as I was thinking through my word and my verse, it pressed on me. Just like that. A quiet little soul whisper that I caught right away. it said UNSHAKEABLE.
I mean, What the actual heck, God?
It’s at this point where I should let you know how I feel about talking to God. I don’t think he cringes when we question Him. I don’t think He turns His back when we fist shake and get a little feisty with Him neither. I think he expects it. I mean, who walking the face of this earth hasn’t felt these emotions? He created us, so I’m sure He can handle it.
But God, really? UNSHAKEABLE?
Unshakeable sounds like my world’s about to be shaken, right? I feel like God plopping this in my lap means a whole lot is going to get worse before a whole lot gets better.
And the best part of it all is the verse. Oh, the verse.
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken.” Isaiah 54:10
Really? Y’all, our mountains have been doing almost nothing BUT shaking this past year. Our hills, they relocated back East. What the heck?
Imagine me, upon hearing this, having a minor little temper tantrum in my prayers. Imagine me physically shaking my fists and stomping my feet. Imagine all of this, and then double it. Because that’s about how I acted.
I had to come to terms with this word, which is weird considering it was technically mine for the choosing. If I had my way, I would have willingly chosen something nice and tidy, like LOVE or JOY. I would have pretended like it was because I was hoping to grow in those areas, but deep down inside I would have picked them because I’m stinking tired of the shaking and the removing. I’m tired of the traumas, both big and little. I want something good and peaceful, and, like a three-year-old who wants candy in the checkout line at Target, I want it NOW.
But God doesn’t work like that. And this is what I got. He’s probably up there in heaven shaking his head at me saying “You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit, Meaghan.” And all I can say to that is, touche, God, touche.
I don’t know at all what life is going to throw at us this year. I don’t know if this word came into my life because we need to buckle up, Sally, and get ready. Maybe it means things are about to get amazing. Maybe, just maybe, it means we will find respite from the chaos of 2019. I have no idea.
But I know, after digging into that verse, that God isn’t asking ME to be unshakeable. He’s not saying: Meaghan, this is about to happen so you best get your big girl pants on and handle it yourself. He’s telling me that HIS love remains unshaken. He will help me withstand the storm.
And maybe, just maybe, God just wants me to remember that no matter what comes our way. Because I would say it’s just as likely to lose sight of God’s unshakeable nature when things are going well and we begin to get prideful and forget, just a little, that God is still in control, as when things are going poorly. It’s just as likely when you get what you’ve been praying for such a long time (in this case some blessed peace from the chaos) that you’ll get a little complacent in your time with Him, that you’ll be like “All’s good, God. Thanks for looking out.”
Maybe He is trying to remind me that He is unshakeable no matter what.
So with that thought in mind, I’m putting my fists down. I don’t know what 2020 holds. It could be great. It could be terrible. It could be a much more likely mixture of the both. But I know I’m trusting God and His unshakeable faith to carry me, to remind me and to envelop me when and if things get dicey.
Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
That being said, one of the changes that early 2020 brought is a change to our evenings as Kenzie switched gym schedules. Because of her new practice time, keeping her full and satisfied with healthy food has been a bit dicey. She has to eat a super early dinner, which has to be light because no one wants a belly full of heavy comfort food right before doing flips and such, and then when she gets home around 8:30 she is FAMISHED. Because she heads to bed pretty much right after she gets home, grabs a bite and hops in the shower, I wanted her snack to be healthy and filling.
Thus the birth of these cookies.
I love the simplicity of the ingredients and prep of these Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies. I love that they’re gluten-free (but if you have regular oats that’s fine too.) I love that they’re kind of like a hybrid cookie/granola bar and they have a soft and chewy texture that I find highly addicting. Kenz and I agree that they get even better the longer they sit so be sure to wrap these babies up and store them in the fridge to grab when you’re on the fly. Since we’re using these as snacks and breakfasts, I made them slightly larger BUT, they would be equally delicious if you used tablespoon-sized scoops and made little cookies. I recommend just adjusting the cooking time and watching closely if you do so you don’t burn.
Perfect for my friends who have dietary restrictions and those who do not, these are a breakfast (or in our case late-night) treat you can feel good about.
Peace, love and UNSHAKEABLE-NESS,
Meaghan
Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Breakfast Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 large very ripe bananas, smashed
- 2 cups Gluten-Free quick cook oats
- 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter (natural is best)
- 1/2 cup Dairy-Free chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life Brand)
- large pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
- Step 1 Preheat the oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat.
- Step 2 In a large bowl combine banana, oats, peanut butter, salt, vanilla and cinnamon and stir until completely incorporated (batter will be wet)
- Step 3 With a spatula, fold in the chocolate chips.
- Step 4 Lightly wet your hands and scoop out roughly 1/4 cup of batter. Place on sheet and press gently to flatten to cookie shape. Repeat.
- Step 5 Bake for 13-15 minutes or until edges are slightly brown and the cookie has solidified.
- Step 6 Cool on sheet for a few minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 7 Will keep in fridge for 4-5 days or can be frozen in individual portions.
Welcome to BurntToast! My name is Meaghan, and this is my safe space, a place where we can share stories, share recipes and share life. It’s my dream that you can come here, kick your shoes off and pour yourself a glass of wine while you read, laugh, and maybe even hop into the kitchen. This is my heart, for all of you to see. And ALL are welcome here.