I was in the bakery section of a local supermarket the other day when I
spotted a huge, delicious-looking, chocolate cake on sale. I was tempted
to put it in my shopping cart but lately I have been trying to keep my
middle-age spread from spreading, so I walked on.
Just as I was
passing it by, however, a little boy no more than four or five years old
ran up to it and yelled, "Mommy, Mommy, Let's get the chocolate
cake!" His Mom walked up and patiently explained that they couldn't
afford that cake even on sale, but maybe they could get a couple of
chocolate chip cookies instead. I expected the little boy to be upset,
but instead his smile grew even wider as he said, "Yes, Yes, I love
cookies!"
How I wish I had the wisdom of that little boy. As I
have gone down life's path over the years I have far too often
rejected the delightful bites of cookie that God has offered me because
my eyes were fixed on the giant chocolate cake at the end of the road.
All the little joys that I could have cherished were ignored because I
couldn't take my eyes off the prize. It took me so many years to see
that that chocolate cake was only an illusion of my own making.
That chocolate cake was the desire of what I wanted my life to be, but
all of those bites of cookie was the life that God gave me to live.
These days I delight in every one of them. I embrace every chance to do
good, to share love, to help others, to create joy, and to grow into the
person God meant for me to be. I know too that at the end of my days
here God will allow me to see the whole cookie that was my life and I
pray that it will be a delicious sight to see.
Don't pass up
your cookies for some imaginary cake. Enjoy every bite of this life that
God has given you. Rejoice in His glorious love for you and share your
own love as well. Make your life a sweet treat for your soul and the
souls of everyone you meet.