For
years I have boasted how I love cookies and enjoy baking them. I’ve accumulated five-star recipes and confidently
bake them, package them real pretty at Christmastime and give them as
gifts. That’s why no one was more
surprised than me when I dumped a tray of homemade brown sugar cookies in the
trash just days ago. They were awful,
inedible. A good baker knows when to
improvise and when to follow the recipe to a tee. This recipe called for a cup of unsalted
butter. I added a cup of margarine instead, and it
ruined the whole salty batch. I was left
with nothing. I didn’t follow
directions.
Sometimes
I do that in life. I do things my way
instead of the preferred way, the well tested way that insures success. Who then can I blame then when the
consequences turn sour?
One
of my favorite topics preached at Christmastime is forgiveness. To me it is the essence of why Jesus came to
earth. Sunday’s sermon taken from Matthew
5 came alive to me. Jesus advises us
that if we come to church and its offering time and we realize someone has a
grievance against us, it’s vital to leave our gift at the altar and go make it
right with that person before presenting our gift. We Christians have heard this teaching time
and again. It is so contrary to the
world’s way of pointing a finger at someone's faults instead of humbly
making it right between me and the other guy.
Our pastor’s words hung like distended swollen clouds over the sanctuary
as he challenged us to consider what is out of order in our lives. He gave us the recipe for success here but are we following
through? “Imagine a church forgiving
this way and being this healthy!” he exclaimed.
What a witness that would be to a dying world.
Forgiveness
of offenses is a great recipe for a successful life, but I realize it only
works if I follow it without my own parameters.
Just like baking up a batch of a tried and true cookie recipe but
changing an ingredient, the final result won’t be good. I want my cookies to be delectable and I want
my spirit to be healthy, especially at Christmastime. I’m thinking I
better stick to the recipe.
This post links to Testimony Tuesdays
This post links to Testimony Tuesdays
What a powerful message, Mary! (Tho' I had to snicker at the visual of you dumping those poor calories in the trash!)
ReplyDeleteIn this age of real and perceived grievances, Forgiveness is a pretty tall order.
Love ya,
Myra
Mary, I am so totally NOT known for my cooking or baking skills. So, if I ever tried to make cookies, it truly would be a BOTCH of cookies (not batch)!!
ReplyDeleteI love the lesson you taught about forgiveness. Yes, following the recipe is always the best idea when it comes to God's words. His Word teaches us what works best - not arbitrary laws, but His perfect wisdom teaching us how to be the best we can be, and honor Him in all we do.
GOD BLESS!
Had been baking some cookies lately and some of them or good and some not so good. That what is good with our Father is that He gives us new chances everyday. To love, forgive and be forgiven:)
ReplyDeleteMan… I can relate to this. You're not alone in trying to make things up to suit what's easiest, sister. But thanks for the reminder...
ReplyDeleteI had the same issue with a tricky one cup cake recipe I'd never tried before. I did several substitutions and I had to throw the whole thing out. Not edible. I stuck to the recipe the next time and it's good. I work daily on not holding a grudge and it's a challenge, but one worth doing.
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to follow God's recipe, Mary! His list of ingredients are perfect. Inspiring post!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary! This was such a good word, really well thought out. Sometimes those cookies just don't turn out, much like my own stubborn self with forgiveness. I love to be forgiven, but do I turn around and do the same to my friends and family? It truly is a life-giving virtue.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you again!
Ceil