Transforming Mom -- Springform Pans

I was baking a cake in one of my springform pans last week, when I smelled something smoky. Upon checking in the oven I found that the chocolate batter

was dripping out of the pan and onto the bottom of my oven at an alarming rate. In that instant I remembered why I haven't used my springform pans recently. I had had a like disaster years ago, wasn't sure what to do about it and decided to put away the pans until I could figure it out.

My recent research uncovered the following:

• The pan should not leak, as long as you have it put together correctly.
• The pan will often leak, so wrap the outside in 2 layers of foil.
• The pan will often leak, so set the pan on a baking sheet to prevent the batter from ending up on the bottom of the oven.
• The pan will leak, so bake in a regular cake pan instead of the springform pan.

I don't remember if I did any research in the past after the initial problem, but I do know that I hadn't used a springform pan for many years. And my decision to shelve the problem then is indicative of how I responded to these types of challenges; in the past I felt those challenges were a personal failure, which caused me to lose hope. That type of constant dripping of the lie that I had failed and of believing I was defeated eventually brought me to despair.  (Confession:  I'm kind of a perfectionist.)

Now I realize that I did not fail and was not defeated. I either have defective pans, or I need to fit the two pieces together better, or it's really true that springform pans tend to leak. The problem is with the pan, not with me. How I feel about something is not necessarily what is true, and often times the exact opposite of what is true.

So, what did I decide to do?  I will try again and probably set the pan on a baking sheet the first time around. If that doesn't work out satisfactorily, the next time I might try the 2 layers of foil. Eventually if the problem persists, I will most likely stop using the springform pans and use regular cake pans. And none of that trial and error will be failure or defeat. I have already learned much in the process and am being spiritually transformed. I love living in the Kingdom!

What lessons are you learning on your daily journey through life? Be encouraged that regardless of the outcome of the circumstances, you are a winner, a valuable treasure, and a person worthy of love, honor and respect -- from yourself, also!