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.