by: Sandy Domelle
It’s that time of the year when we ladies pull out the cookie sheets and start making cookies for our family, friends and for gifting to others. Of course, every cookie we make is minus calories, but they are packed full of love. Around our house we have several different types of sweets that we make for the holidays.
I have tupperware containers that are filled with fudge, peanut butter balls, breads and sugar cookies. My daughter and I work together on making several types of cookies for the whole family. Then we normally make enough to share with those around us.
When I think of cookies, let me single out the sugar cookie and how I think Christians resemble it. Sugar cookies come in all shapes and sizes, and so do Christians. With it being cookie season, let me apply this cookie to your Christian life.
First, you make the cookie. You can have all the cookie cutters you want, but the reason you have them is to make cookies. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” You will never be the “cookie” God wants you to be without spending time in God’s Word getting the ingredients you need to be the Christian God wants you to be. A Christian who doesn’t spend time in God’s Word is a Christian who will not have the ingredients they need to make it through life as the Christian God wants them to be.
Second, there are cookies with no frosting. Frosting makes the cookie palatable for those who are eating them. Cookies without frosting are pretty bland. Ephesians 4:7 says, “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” God wants Christians to have some frosting on them. Grace is to the Christian what frosting is to the cookie. A Christian with no grace is a Christian that is hard to follow. You need to be sure to be gracious in your actions. Let your life have some frosting on it.
Third, unfortunately there are times when the cookies get burnt on the bottom. Are you burning your relationships because of anger? Psalm 37:8 says, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” Ladies, you must be careful during the Christmas season that you don’t get so wrapped up in cooking and wrapping presents that you get angry at your children or husband when they come around. I know, we can get frazzled with all the responsibilities and extra commitments that we have, but it’s not worth burning our relationships.
Fourth, when making cookies, we make them into all shapes. One of the shapes is a snowman. There is nothing like seeing the snow right after it falls. It is so beautiful and white. Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” The snowman makes me think of how white snow is and how God is willing to forgive us. Are you willing to forgive others. Don’t be someone who holds grudges against others. It doesn’t help anyone. The one who is hurt the most by holding grudges is you. Let the snowman cookie remind you to forgive others when they do you wrong.
Fifth, the Christmas tree cookie reminds me of growth. 1 Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” You need to be sure that you are constantly growing in every area of your life. Are you growing in the area of being a wife? Are you becoming a better parent to your children? Are you becoming a better Christian? Every time you look at the Christmas tree cookie it should remind you to grow in every area of your life.
Sixth, the star cookie reminds me of soul winning. Daniel 12:3 says, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Be careful that you don’t get so busy with Christmas that you forget to tell people about Jesus Christ. Yes, it may be cold outside, but people still need to get saved. You need to let the Christmas season be one during which you turn many to righteousness.
It’s cookie season! When you start making all the cookies for your family, look at them and let them remind you to improve yourself as a Christian. Let each cookie remind you of an area in your life that you can work on that day.