Called to Priesthood

For years, my puff-puff never came out right.
Not because the recipe was complicated, but because I thought I could figure it out on my own.

For those unfamiliar, puff-puff is a popular West African snack—especially in Nigeria. It’s a deep-fried dough typically made from flour, salt, yeast, sugar, and water. When prepared correctly, it’s soft, airy, and lightly sweet, similar to a doughnut but less dense.

I didn’t bother with proper measurements. I did everything off the top of my head—a little flour, some yeast, water until it “felt right.” I trusted instinct over instruction.

And the results were always inconsistent.

Eventually, I realised the problem wasn’t the puff-puff.
It was my assumption that I didn’t need guidance.

And honestly, that’s how many people approach life and faith.

Some people feel they can figure life out on their own. They rely on logic, experience, and self-confidence. They feel like they don’t really need God—at least not for everyday decisions. Just like I did with puff-puff, they skip the measurements, rush the process, and still expect things to turn out well.

But Christianity isn’t about guessing.

God has already given us the recipe for life—not to restrict us, but to help us flourish. Scripture reminds us:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

• His Word is the measurement
• Obedience is the mixing
• Consistency is the kneading
• Patience is the rising time
• The Holy Spirit is the heat that brings everything together

When I finally humbled myself enough to follow the actual puff-puff recipe—measuring properly and waiting for the dough to rise—the outcome changed. Same ingredients. Different result.

In the same way, life begins to make more sense when we stop leaning on our own understanding and start trusting God’s. When we rely only on ourselves, we get unpredictable outcomes. But when we submit to God’s wisdom and timing, He directs our steps.

Sometimes the issue isn’t that God isn’t working.
It’s that we think we don’t need Him.

Just like puff-puff, faith works best when we stop guessing and start trusting the instructions.

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Simple Nigerian Puff-Puff Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups plain all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoon dry yeast
• 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 cup warm water (not hot)
• 1/2 cup of warm milk
• A dash of nutmeg
• A dash of cinnamon
• A pinch of salt
• Sunflower Oil for deep frying

Method

1. Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
2. Gradually add warm water and milk then mix until you get a smooth, slightly sticky batter.
3. Cover and leave to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until doubled in size.
4. Heat oil on medium heat.
5. Scoop batter with your hand and gently drop into the oil.
6. Fry until golden brown, turning occasionally.
7. Remove and drain on paper towel.

Tips:

1. If you want your puff puff to be savoury, add onions and some pepper.
2. You can drop an onion bulb in the oil while frying.
3. Make sure your ingredients are levelled when measuring with a measuring cup.

Key reminder:
Same ingredients. Different results—because the measurements and the timing were right.

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