After Michala’s wreck, she needed to be with us for a while, so we brought her back to spend some time healing at home. One evening we did a quick run to Trader Joe’s. As we were standing by the “bakery” section, we found a loaf of gingerbread. Since it was Vegan, I said, “Let’s keep looking to see if they have anything else gingerbread, just in case the vegan one doesn’t taste like gingerbread to us.” We were looking at all of the different baked goods when I saw a chocolate babka.
Now, I was in college when this episode aired, and it was truly hilarious back then. So as soon as I saw the chocolate babka on the shelf, I said to Michala, “Oh look! A chocolate babka! We better grab it while they still have the chocolate babka.” Of course upon saying this, I cracked myself up, laughing. Since Michala wasn’t laughing, I said, “It’s only funny if you watched Seinfeld, so you need to see that scene to get it.”
Still nothing.
So I turned to look at her, but Michala wasn’t standing there.
Horrified, I turned to my right, where three people were standing there, staring at me. Mind you, we are in the middle of a global pandemic, so with all of us wearing masks, I can’t tell if they’re laughing or concerned for me.
“I promise I’m not crazy,” I said to them. “My daughter was standing right here, but now she’s gone!”
To throw a little grace my way, one of the ladies said, “I got it! I loved Seinfeld and the chocolate babka episode!”
When I found Michala, I said, “You left me standing there talking! I was going on and on about the chocolate babka from Seinfeld, and you were gone!”
Michala goes, “Mom. When are you going to learn? Look before you start talking in public! Dad and I aren’t always standing there with you when you go off on these tangents!”
“Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.” - Luke 12:1-3 (NIV)
I am well known for talking. This is not always a good thing, seeing as how I can quickly embarrass myself. But something I have to remind myself is things I have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what I have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.
In other words, I really need to mind my words.
I got into plenty of trouble as a young girl, for talking in class. All of my report cards had comments like, “Aimee needs to talk less and listen more.”
Aimee still needs to talk less and listen more.
While it’s a funny and hilarious story Terry, Michala and I will tell for years to come about the chocolate babka; it was also a gentle reminder to me to not feel the need to say whatever comes to mind, the moment I say it. Sometimes I need to work some things out with Jesus before I share them with the world.
But just in case you need the reminder … Trader Joe’s has chocolate babka. Better get it before you’re stuck with the cinnamon one.