As many of you know, my son has just finished culinary arts school. He has always loved to cook, but baking is probably his least favorite part of cooking. He likes to be more creative and not to have to use precise ingredients and measurements as you do when you bake.

One Saturday morning when he was younger, he decided to make waffles for the family. They were gorgeous, and we couldn’t wait to dig in. They were being finished in batches, so he gave the first set to my husband. He went ahead and got started and had his almost completely eaten before the rest of us got to the table.

My son and I took our first bites at the same time. I would have never said a word, but he immediately made an awful expression and said that something was terribly wrong. They really tasted bad! It was like super salty waffles. Of course his acknowledgement released me from having to finish them. My husband didn’t think that this seemed exactly right since he had to clean his plate.

We started investigating what could have happened. As it turned out, he had used baking soda instead of baking powder. Although baking soda has importance, that day he learned that you can’t always substitute ingredients. He also learned that when you have the wrong things on the inside, the outside may look great, but it won’t be pleasing to the people who taste it.

Isn’t this a great illustration of our lives? There are so many things that we try to substitute for Christ in our lives. Sometimes it is religion, laws, or rituals instead of a relationship with Him. These things do have importance at certain times and places. However, if we allow these things to take His place in our lives we may look very appealing on the outside, and we may even deceive the people around us. They may think we are sweet and “righteous.” Once they spend time with us though, they may see a rigid, judgmental nature. We can easily leave a bad taste in their mouths, because nothing can replace our growing relationship with Christ.

We have to determine to keep growing in Him, and not to allow anything to take His place. He will make us exactly what we need to be for our benefit as well as others. As a reminder of this truth, I am adding a recipe for waffles. Be sure there are no substitutes.

Waffles

2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking POWDER
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
4 tablespoons cooking oil
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups milk

Mix dry ingredients well. Add eggs, milk, and oil. Bake in a hot waffle iron until golden brown.

 

Copyright © by Susan Sikes Share

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