Cake Anyone?

January is full of Birthday's in our family. First my son Logan's on the 10th, Second comes Tyler's on the 14th, Third is Bella's on the 25th, ( yes we celebrate our pet's Birthdays as well ) and last is Mom's on the 30th.

I have always felt it to be challenging to have two boy's with Birthday's four day's apart. I enjoy trying to make it a special day for them. The Cake is a huge factor in making that happen. The Walmart bakery cake is their favorite. Always white cake with white icing, decorated however. Doesn't matter as long as there is plenty of icing. For years that's what they request and have always gotten.

This year was no different, I knew I would be buying two sheet cakes all on the same day. I decided since Tyler was returning to Marshall and wouldn't be home, I would send his with him.

I was thinking at the checkout how much money I had just put out on two cakes, and how much cheaper it would be if I had made them myself. I realized with three teenage boy's they would probably be eaten in one or two sittings, and with Tyler taking his for himself I worried that one wouldn't go far with the other two, plus family that was to come over. I decided enough money had been spent on batter and that we would make due and add some ice cream to fill in the spaces as needed.

As soon as I pulled out of the parking lot I realized I forgot the ice cream and stopped at Food Lion. As I walked in I noticed a display with two of those huge chocolate chip cookies with decorated icing on them. The sign read " Clearance". They were marked down from $8.99 to $2.99. Wow, my boys loved these, I figured they must be out of date to be reduced that much. Nope the date was 4 days ahead. Still thinking there must be a mistake I placed the two giant cookies in the cart, crossed my fingers and went to check out.

As the teenager checked me out she stated " Man that's a deal" $1.50 each. I said " No I think they are $2.99 each". Well she said evidently they are $1.50 for you today. Great how lucky was that, I would have extra sweets if there wasn't enough cake to go around. I paid and as she handed me my change she asked if I wanted the FREE cake or any of the Free pies they had left over from the day. To my amazement I looked to where she pointed and walked over..............There on the table was a Deli WHITE sheet cake with WHITE icing. I took the cake and cookies and went to my car and sat there a minute humored by what had just happened.

How did I go from worrying I wouldn't have enough cake for everyone to having an abundant amount for everyone with extra to spare?

Maybe its luck? I don't believe in luck, I believe in good and bad. I believe in surprise and wonder, I believe in grace and glory. Is it possible to receive a message in a cake? Definitely.

The message that came to me that day was that there is abundance all around us. Just when you think you may be low or short on an item and you find ways to fill in the gap's and spaces with "replacements", there isn't any for celebrations. You must have cake for everyone. That's why I was handed a free one.

God's love is never ending and abundant. There are no replacements of him. There are no empty spaces that can be filled without him. He cannot be replaced with work, alcohol, drugs, anger, depression, loneliness, hatred, selfishness, abuse, or crime. He is the true one who will always make sure we feel full, with no shortages. What abundances do you have in your life? Have you ever felt you were a little short in an area of your life and knew what you needed only to replace it with something to just fill in the gap? If you continue "just filling in the gap" with whatever to get by, eventually the gap collapses and you are left with a hole to try to climb out of. Instead lets strive to replace our gaps and spaces with a solid foundation with the love of God who will never leave us with a shortage if we just BELIEVE.