Preserved by Purpose – Hot Water Cornbread and Mama’s Wisdom

In honor of Mother’s Day, I want to share one of my favorite experiences with my mother.  Every time I think about this experience with hot water cornbread, I remind myself that we have to take time to encourage the mothers in our lives. If you have lost your mother, be encouraged by the memories and imprint of love they’ve had on your life.    “Girl, I can make that…and I can’t cook!” laughed one friend as I explained my difficulty making hot water cornbread nearly 15 years over lunch.  What puzzled me was that I was able to make so many other things…. with or without a recipe:  turkey and dressing, red velvet cake, red beans and rice, etc.  That was until I came up against hot water cornbread.  It seemed like no matter how many times I tried; it never came out right. I shamefully accepted the fact that I would never be able to make it. My first attempt fell apart while still in the skillet. Rookie mistake, I figured and tried again a few weeks later.  This time, they not only fell apart, but they also turned pitch black in minutes.  Not to be discouraged, I decided...