Double Dipping

Every year at Christmas time we get the family together for a day of candy making. The kitchen becomes a symphony of laughter, dishes, and wonderful smells as we all work together. We make brittles, truffles, fudges,and hand dip a variety of cookies, pretzels, and crackers.

One of our favorites is peanut butter and cracker sandwiches dipped in chocolate. It was the end of the day and the men and boys had retreated to the shop to work on a Christmas surprise for the children. Brandon, 2, and Avery, 3, wanted to help.  Nanna gave them shakers of sprinkles and set them on stools to decorate the freshly dipped chocolate delights.

Avery was immediately a pro and tried to show Brandon how it was done. Brandon, paying no attention to his sister, did his best. He sprinkled the candy glitter but accidentally touched the fresh chocolate. No problem. He simply licked the chocolate off his shaker and went on to the next one. But this time his action was more deliberate as he dipped his shaker in the wet chocolate and then licked it off the lid. All the while Avery was saying, “No Brandon, you’re not getting enough sprinkles on it.” It was obvious by the look on his face that Brandon was doing just fine.

Double dipping is cute when a two-year-old does it. As adults we know double dipping is not appropriate. We know better than to lick the spoon and put it back in the bowl!

Jesus welcomes double dippers. He said, “Ask, and it will begiven to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”(Luke 11:7 NKJV) 

The language of this verse tells us that we should continuously ask, seek, and knock and He will continue to respond to us. You can keep coming back to Jesus and He will always be there for you. His answers are always relevant, His forgiveness is always complete, and His knowledge is always perfect.

Bro. Robin

Be Holy

My daughter was busy making a pot of chicken chili for us to enjoy. As the pot got warm she reached for a wooden spoon to stir with.

“Not that spoon!” Joyce said as she reached for the spoon. “That’s the bread spoon.”

“Oh,” she said, “I forgot.” And she handed her mother the spoon.

It was an honest mistake. In the crock with all the spoons and spatulas there is one special spoon. It is a long-handled spoon that was hand carved by an uncle of Joyce’s. It is used for only one purpose - the making of bread. We make sure that no other smells or flavors touch that spoon so that it will not affect the flavor of the bread.

We all know this and respect the special purpose of the bread spoon. The reason is simple. We love the taste of Joyce’s homemade bread.

When I think about the bread spoon I am reminded of the meaning of holiness. The meaning of holiness is to be set apart for God’s purpose. Likewise, Joyce’s wooden spoon is set apart for one purpose and if the spoon is used for any other purpose it can become tainted. If we give ourselves to an unholy purpose we too will become tainted.  

¹⁵ But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; ¹⁶ for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy. (1 Peter1:15-16 HCSB)

When we keep ourselves holy we will have joy in our lives because we are living according to God’s holy purpose.

Bro. Robin