The More Things Change

Chocolate. Chocolate cake with cream filled center, dipped in more chocolate. How can one resist?

In those days they were wrapped in foil and I’m quite certain they tasted much better than they do today. Even when frozen or chilled.

Years later I can remember enjoying the delectable treat especially the instance when it got me into trouble.

Not many baby-sitters fared well being charged with my care. One in particular may not have lasted more than that single day... The day I can remember knowing right from wrong…

Why did she leave that box in front of me? She knew full well what she was doing. As far as I know she even watched from around the corner just to see how long it took me.

Knowing myself, it didn’t take long.

Who tells a child they can’t have a treat and then leaves the whole box in front of them? Its likely that I grabbed that foil covered hockey puck while she was watching, then slowly unwrapped the covering to reveal the chocolaty goodness beneath it’s silvery wrapping and began to break off the edges, you know-the thick parts where the icing accumulates and the cake doesn’t stick. Oh, then I would have nibbled the edges all the way around and enjoyed the creamy filling last.

More likely, I crammed the entire cake into my mouth and inhaled it!

Why? Because, she told me I couldn’t have it.

How often does that happen to me as an adult? Tell me I can’t have something and you can be sure I’ll want it all the more.

It’s funny, but when I’m “not allowed” to have something that I want-food for example, I’ll get it and put it in the pantry, I won’t hide it, and it’ll sit there for months. Maybe even forever. As long as I know it’s there, I’m good. But as soon as it’s gone, I’ll make myself crazy wanting it!

Lately I’ve been given time-in abundance. Many of us have. Some of us have so much time on our hands we aren’t sure how to fill it all. Others I know are begging for more of it. Still others are wishing they some back.

Seek and you shall find. Knock and it will be opened. Ask and you shall recieve.

YOU be the judge of how you spend your time. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t have something that you want. Satan loves to tempt us especially when we feel that we are alone. Often we leave doors open for him in dispare or numbness even boredom. But with God, we are never alone, and He keeps His eyes on the temptor at all times. Nothing gets by Him.

Seek His will for your time. Knock on the door of your own heart and He will reveal His will for your time. Ask Him for direction, guidance and provisions in order to use your time well. Before you know it, you may be asking for your time to be multiplied! And if you’re weary from so much of your time being filled, He will give you time to rest.

These days I enjoy treats in moderation. The ones that made my eyes dance and mouth water before just don’t have the same affect these days. Is it because I can have what I want when I want? Or do they just not have the same appeal? I secretly believe they changed the recipe...

The wrapper has changed, but the cake is the same.

Times change, but God’s love for us doesn’t. His word doesn’t change, nor does His mercies or His grace. Hold fast to that because time does change. It also runs out.

Matthew 7-A great read to ponder during this time.