CookiesHave you started your Christmas baking? I have a list of my family’s requested Christmas treats and will begin baking them today. Everyone has their favorites. My son has a long list of favorites: peanut butter fudge, chocolate peanut butter balls, Grandma’s toffee cookies, sugar cookies, sugared pecans, chocolate chip cookies, and the list goes on and on.

One of the things I do is pull the ingredients for a recipe out before I begin. I’m not sure if it’s that I want to be certain I have everything or just pretend I’m on a Food Network cooking show. Either way, it works for me.Food Network

Looking at the ingredients for a batch of cookies makes me realize something… separately, they aren’t even remotely appetizing or desirable, but once they’re mixed together and put in the oven, their oh, so tempting. Think about it, who wants to take a bite of a stick of butter or down a cup of flour? Not me.  But I wouldn’t turn down a hot chocolate chip cookies that comes out of the oven.

The same is true with life. We may not want to endure some of the situations we face in life: a lost job, an illness, or heartbreak; however, they are woven together by the Lord to create a beautiful life.

Romans 8:28 says,

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

God mixes all we go through in life together, and sometimes He places us in a little bit of heat, but the end result is a life that reflects His love and goodness. Are you going through a difficult time right now? Hang in there. He will make it into something beautiful, but it may take a little time.

Do you have a favorite cookie recipe? Share it here.