From guilt to gratitude

I woke up late today, the kind of late where you literally have to drag yourself out of bed. 

Guilt engulfed me as I looked at the time - it was noon and I had a never ending to do list waiting for me. With the guilt weighing on me, I pulled myself into the kitchen where all thanks be to Allah, I had my ingredients already cut and ready for me. 

The next two hours passed with me mixing, cooking and frying while delicious aromas and soft sizzling sounds wafted though the air. By the end I had two delicate dishes, butter garlic chicken and fried rice, ready to be devoured. 

Later that evening, my husband and his friend sat in the kitchen feasting on the meal I had made. Afterwards I am told "mashaAllah how good the food is, it's almost restaurant quality" and I quietly smiled to myself. 

I smiled because I knew that it's not because of me that the food turned out so good. After all just earlier today I had been in bed, struggling to get up.. but rather it is because of Allah, who blessed it because of the adkar I was whispering while cooking. 

All praise and thanks belongs to Allah alone.