Have you ever baked something with 6 little kids? Talk about crazy!
I knew everyone would want a turn. I knew it could be a mess. I also knew it would make a fun memory. So, I prepared little cups for each kid to pour in. Everyone got a turn to stir and they wore little aprons. Cuteness overload in my kitchen!
We need to follow the directions to make a yummy cookie. We talked about putting the good stuff in and leaving the bad stuff out. Some things are good but not good for cookies. Some things are good but not for eating.
What's good for cookies?
Flour? Yes! Put it in!
Sugar? Yes! Mix it up!
Hand sanitizer? No! Leave it out!
Bouncy balls? No! Not for cookies!
We learned to put not only good things in our lives but to put in good things that belong in our lives. Things that are good for us if used correctly. For example, hands are for high fives not hitting, and books are for reading not throwing.
On a mature level, this reminds me that anger can be good if you're helping the innocent and voiceless. Love and kindness can be bad if they grow into idols that replace God. Heaven can be found on earth in the commonly positive characteristics we have, but also heaven can be in the negative emotions if God uses them in a righteous way.
I need to watch what I put into my life. I need to use the recipe that Christians have and follow the directions in the Bible to mix it up correctly. I need to notice when good things belong in my life. That hand sanitizer is great for cleaning my hands, but I'm not going to bake cookies with it. Similarly, that motivational speaker is great for teaching me to set goals, but I'm not going to replace going to church and listening to a Bible-filled sermon with it.
Lord, You know what is good. You are good. Give me good things. Help me to know the difference between the bad things, the good things, and the God things.
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