Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Webster defines harvest as “the time of year when matured grain, fruit, vegetables, etc. are reaped and gathered in.” My parents always had a garden, and harvest time meant getting to eat an abundance of zucchini, tomatoes, corn, and whatever else happened to be planted that year. It also was a time of canning, freezing, and preserving the fruits and vegetables so that they could be eaten during the cold winter months while the garden lay dormant.

Yet, harvest can be applied to other things. Galatians 6:9 applies it to good works: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (NIV). 1 Corinthians 9:6 applies it to finances: “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (NKJV). Jesus applied it to the spiritual salvation of the world: “The harvest Instructions is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the 1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease and flour a bundt pan. harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field” (Mt. 9:37-38 NIV). 2. In a large bowl, mix together the oil and honey with an electric mixer. Add eggs, beating after each addition.

As autumn harvest comes to a close and gardens are tilled Add vanilla, orange flavor, and zucchini. under for the winter, harvesting can still continue. What will 3. In a small bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking you harvest today? powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

• ½ c. oil • 1½ c. honey • 3 eggs • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract • ½ tsp. orange flavor, or 2 tsp. grated orange peel • 2 c. peeled and grated zucchini • 3 c. freshly ground soft white wheat flour, or 2-2/3 c. all-purpose flour • ½ c. unsweetened cocoa powder • 1 Tbsp. baking powder • ½ tsp. baking soda • 1 tsp. salt • 1 tsp. cinnamon • ¼ c. milk • 1 c. chopped nuts (optional) 4. Add the flour mixture to the honey mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix on low until thoroughly combined. Add nuts, if desired.

5. Bake for 55-60 minutes. Let it cool for 15 minutes before removing it from the pan. 6. After inverting it on a plate, drizzle the chocolate glaze over the top.

• 2/3 c. honey • 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder • 1/3 c. milk • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract • 5 drops (1/16 tsp.) orange flavor

In a small saucepan, combine honey, cocoa powder, and milk. Cook over medium heat and boil until it reaches 230°F (using a candy thermometer). Remove from heat. Add the butter, vanilla, and orange flavor. If it becomes too thick as it cools, add a little milk to thin it.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). The world needs more entrepreneurs, more good ideas, and more courageous people who see a need and will do something about it. The world especially needs more Christian “spiritual” entrepreneurs who recognize the opportunities God is revealing to them and are then courageous enough to act on it.

On August 14, 2019, I read in Richard Foster’s book “Celebration of Discipline,” “The fruit of solitude is increased sensitivity and compassion for others.” Over the next several days, I reflected on this thought and prayed, “What can I do to make the world a better place and have more compassion for others?” God brought to my mind the image of an older gentleman I would see often at coffee shops around town. It appeared to me that this man was always meeting with collegeaged students. I saw him so often, I started asking others if they knew who he was. It turns out he is a retired minister who meets with young adults to mentor them. Wow—someone willing to give up their time and energy for the betterment of others to speak encouragement into their lives!

Six days later, God’s prompting came: “I want you to write letters of encouragement—for 100 days.” Yikes! What would people think? I feared people’s thinking I was a weirdo or that I wanted something from them. I also thought, why should I write these letters? I need encouragement. I’m going through a tough spot in life; I’m out of work! Nevertheless, I submitted and started writing to family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, celebrities, heroes, cultural villains, and the older gentleman from the coffee shops.

Each day, I would pray, “God, who needs encouragement today? Who do you want me to write to?” Each day, He would bring someone to mind for me to write to, sometimes people I absolutely did not want to write to. 20 // September 2020

But what I discovered as I wrote these letters was that I was being encouraged. I was focusing less on myself and my own problems and more on others and how I could speak into their lives. Gratitude was changing my attitude.

Over the 100 days, I received responses like, “I really needed to hear those words because I was in a very dark place.” I had people approach me in tears, saying, “I’ve

never received anything like that before, and you don’t know how perfect the timing of this was.” Others said, “You believe in me more than I believe in myself.” Maybe there’s someone you know who needs to know that you admire them, look up to them, believe in them. During this time of quarantine, maybe now is the time to write and tell them? We all need encouragement.

“I shall pass this way but once; any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” –Etienne de Grellet (Quaker missionary)

About The Author Brad Perkins is a 12-year banking veteran who enjoys speaking and writing on Middle Eastern Culture. He and his wife, Heather live in Cleveland, Tennessee, attend Silverdale Baptist Church, and volunteer with an organization to help refugees feel welcomed and loved.

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