Burnt Cookie Proof
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)
My grandmother, Emily, was the greatest multitasker I’ve ever known. She had things to do no matter which room she was in or which chair she selected. One had mending, another chair had her basket of yarn for crocheting, yet another had hemming to complete. All this was within ear shot and clear vision of the television. She truly believed that hands should never be idle. I have followed in her footsteps. Pat Butler Dyson (Mornings with Jesus) learned a humbling lesson about multitasking.
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Who says multitasking is a myth? I had it all figured out. Baking six dozen cookies to take to a church reception was time-consuming, but I could do other things while the cookies were in the oven. I read my devotions and ironed my jacket. I emptied the dishwasher and put a load of clothes in the wash. I answered some emails and wrote a get-well note to a friend. No matter where I was in the house, when I heard the timer go off, I’d remove the cookies and put in another sheet.
Feeling proud of my intricate timing, I decided to hop in the shower, wash my hair, towel dry and remove the last batch of cookies. Ten minutes. I had it down! Stepping out of the shower, I heard the timer blaring. Perfect. I congratulated myself. But the timer sounded odd somehow. I hustled into the kitchen, and I realized why. It was the smoke alarm.
The kitchen was filled with smoke, and my cookies were black. Something was horribly wrong with my oven. I jerked the smoking cookies out, thinking I’d need to call the repairman immediately. But then I noticed that right next to the button for bake was the button for broil. Uh-oh. Wrong button, Pat. In my desire to prove to myself I could do it all, I’d messed up. Jesus, You’re the only One who can do it all—that’s no myth. I had a dozen burned cookies to prove it.
FAITH STEP: Recall a time when your pride brought you down. Journal about it and on the page in your Bible next to Proverbs 11:2.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience and forgiveness. We often try too hard and You calmly show us that we can slow down and still be okay with You. Teach us to check in with You before we begin those crazy marathons. AMEN.