Linda set her menu aside and focused on her granddaughter. “How do you like your new job?”
Ainsley grinned. “It’s great. I love making donuts. Sometimes it’s really busy, but it makes the day go by so fast.”
“Well, that’s certainly a plus. What do you like the most about it?”
Ainsley tapped the plastic straw of her drink against her lips. “I like the possibilities. Every single donut starts from the same batch of dough, and from there, we only use two different cutters. There are the classic donuts with the hole, and then the circular ones that we stuff with custard, jelly, or chocolate mousse. We have over 50 different flavors, all coming from the same basic dough. There are an infinite number of possibilities, it seems. There’s a contest each month for employees to come up with a new flavor, and the best idea goes on the menu the next month. If your donut gets chosen, you get a $50 dollar bonus. It’s a great place to work.”
“I’m so happy for you, dear. I’m sure you like having the extra money.”
Ainsley laughed. “It’s better than babysitting, that’s for sure. Last time I had to take care of the Johnson twins, I had to take a nap afterwards. They’re exhausting. I don’ t know how Mrs. Johnson handles them all the time.”
Linda took a sip of her water. “You, know, your donut story got me thinking about life.”
“You always have stories about life,” Ainsley joked. “But I’m a captive audience. As long as you’re paying for my lunch, I’m here to listen to your stories.”
“Gee, thanks. Now I have to bribe my own granddaughter to spend time with me.”
Ainsley waved a hand. “You know I’m just kidding. Go ahead. Tell me what you got out of my donut story.”
“Well, I was just thinking that people all start out basically the same. We’re mostly all given two arms, two legs, and a brain, and it’s amazing how we all turn out so different. Part of it is the gifts God gives us. Everyone is given gifts, though, but they don’t all use them. You’re at such a great time of life. As you finish up high school next year, you have your whole life in front of you. You can use your gifts in so many ways.”
“You mean I can become a rainbow sprinkled chocolate donut or a maple bacon French toast donut?”
Linda waved a hand at her. “You know what I mean, but yes, the world is open to you for all kinds of possibilities.”
The server arrived to take their order, and the conversation soon moved toward other things. Ainsley stirred a packet of sugar into her iced tea. “How are you enjoying retirement?”
Linda shrugged. “I haven’t quite figured it out yet. I’m glad to be finished working, but I’m still trying to find my rhythm. It’s strange not having to be somewhere at a certain time every day. Let’s just say I don’t have quite as many possibilities ahead of me as you do. I guess I’m kind of like a stale donut.”
Ainsley brightened. “You are not. And besides, we have a whole list of things to tell people about how to refresh stale donuts.”
Linda blinked. “You’re kidding me. Like what?”
“You can wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave them for a few seconds, or for the glazed ones, you add a little butter to a pan and heat them for a minute or two. And for a little extra effort, you can make donut French toast or bread pudding.”
“So you’re saying there are more possibilities for me yet?”
Ainsley grinned. “Of course there are. You can volunteer at church, or the local women’s shelter, or at the animal shelter. Emmy’s preschool is always looking for volunteers to come read to them. And you love gardening. The food bank has a community garden. I’m sure they’d love to have you.” Ainsley crumped her sugar packet and set it on the table. “I think you’ve gotten it a little bit wrong, Grandma. You have an entire world full of possibilities open to you, too!”
Hope filled Linda. “I knew you were my favorite granddaughter for a reason.”
“I’m your only granddaughter.”
“True, but thank you. I think I might look into some of your suggestions. I just have to figure out if I want to be a glazed donut or one filled with peanut butter.”
“Definitely peanut butter. With chocolate frosting.” Ainsley held up her glass. “To us, and a world full of donut possibilities.”
1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Corinthians 2:9
What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.
God, there is no such thing as a “stale donut” in Your eyes. You’ve given us all gifts to use at various stages of our lives. Thank You for those reminders that no matter what age we are, we’re always able to be useful to You, whether we’re young and looking at a world of possibilities, or we’re closer to the end of our lives where we may be more suited to being a prayer warrior. No matter the season, You have us on earth for a reason. Help us to find how you best want to use us. And thank You for the yummy treat of donuts! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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