Cake

I have learned a few things this month after our barrage of July birthdays about baking cakes. Store bought cakes are great and easy but there is something about making the cake at home for the one whose birthday it is that gives the cook (me) a defined sense of joy. I am not talking about anything fancy...box mixes (2 for a three layer cake) for sure...but I have chosen to make the icing from scratch...and double the recipe...so I can cover all three layers..... to me that is the best part anyway..becasue it is inside as well as out and it is where the finishing touch plays its part as the base for decoration and sentiments.

But one thing that some of ever so wonderful cook friends have taught me is to freeze the cake after you bake it before you icing it. I thought I will never do that..but this month I have tried it with all cakes...and it works. It has several advantages. First of all you can cook it when you are not jammed packed with other thigns to do...like days ahead. Second it gives you a chance while you are cooking to be thinking about the recipient days ahead of the actual event...thanking God for their lives and praying for their needs etc. I know we do that anyway...but birthdays are set aside days for when they came into this world....and this time just adds a little further definition to your thoughs. And third..a frozen cake is easier to icing....

And what could this possibly have to do with a devotional...well think about a time when you were hot and bothered...or frustrated and mad....or you felt like your thoughts and schedules and routines ....and everything was all mixed up....and nothing seemed too clear. I have been there time and time again as I am sure you probably have as well. And we take the jumbled up mix and pan it. We pour it into our ready made mold...and we bake it...thinking about it and stewing about it, over and over but not really able to get a quick grip on it. For baking takes time and patience. Then finally it begins to take a defined shape...and we have thought about it enough and it is time to release it from the mold and make something good out of what has been baked. But even cooked and out of the mold it is fragile...there are layers that are still a little unsettled...So we freeze it...and let it sit bagged and unbothered until it gains strength and develops a core that is workable. And then we pull it form the confines of a quieted holding place and we put the icing on it and it becomes a masterful work of art.

Isn't that what Jesus is doing with us each day...
1) allowing us to be shaken by a world of mixed up ideas and philosophies
2) allowing us to be molded and conformed into our own chosen molds
3) allowing us to bake in the heat of trials and conflicts

It is only when we allow Jesus to freeze our worldly thoughts and ideas that he gives us strength and motivation to become transformed into something good and worthy and workable for his glory. He creates us and molds us and transforms us to become his masterful work of art. His icing is heavenly made... of goodness, forgiveness, kindness, self control, gentleness, patience, joy, peace and love is within us and we are topped with it.

If we choose to be molded by God and not remain mixed up by worldly pulls rather be baked into his Godly mold then he will transform us into being an earthly core topped with His heavenly covering. He thinks of us each day in everyway as he is baking us with his goodness.. and he in no hurry to get the job of transforming us done...it is His process that takes time...and is created with a love that knows no bounds.

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Okay, it is just an anology...but the way my crazy brain works...God is manifesting himself in EVERYTHING that I do. And then I think...that is the way he has planned for us to be...To be able to see him and find him in spite of the mixed up ways of the world that surround us. For he is everywhere and in everything...we just have to be looking and seeking him..and he will reveal to us his presence...and guide our thougths....and encourage our deeds and embrace our faith.....as we embrace his grace.

Whether you are in the kitchen or out on the streets...Jesus is with you...and if you are looking you will find him to be a constant and faithful and companion.

Dear Lord,You are in the "everything" of our lives...may we look to you so that we may be molded according to your purpose for our life. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
website:
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email address: cjodeit@gmail.com
The blog link below has all devotionals from the beginning of the year:

http://simplygod-cathy.blogspot.com/