Life Is Like a Fruitcake
The other day, after several crazy things had happened, I made the statement to a friend, “Life is like a fruitcake!” Then I was reminded of the times my sisters and I gathered at Mother's house (our home place) and made fruitcakes. This was always one of my favorite days of the year. Not only did we girls get to be together, but we were preserving our heritage. In fact, my sister Ruby recently made a fruit cake after discovering that she had all the necessary ingredients. I remember the preparation Mother made before we would start to bake. She would insist that the ingredients be placed in a row on the table in the order they would be used. There was no lastminute rushing around when Mother baked her cakes. She was prepared! (Isn't that what Jesus taught us in Luke 14:2830 – count the cost before starting a project to be sure we will be able to finish it?)
Mother would test the consistency of the batter before we poured it into the pans; she checked the firmness of the cakes during the baking period; and then – the fun part – she would serve us a sample of the finished product! Throughout our work, she shared with us memories of her childhood and the early years with our dad. We cherish the time we had with her. She was a wise and godly woman who taught us the ways of God. Remaining strong through the heartbreak of losing her husband (our dad) when she was fifty-four, she showed us that God is sufficient to meet all our needs.
The snapshots we took that day were placed in photo albums beside those of other years. More photographs have joined them – those of two brothers and a sister who have found their resting place beside Mother and Dad. And although these pictures may turn yellow with age, those printed in our hearts will remain unchanged. When we pull them out for review of all the fun we had, we will also be reminded that life is a lot like Mother's fruitcakes – a mixture of nuts that make life interesting, fruit to keep us encouraged, flour finely ground with the rocks of adversity, all sweetened by love given and received, and baked in a hot oven overseen by the Master Baker – Who does not allow us to be “overcooked,” but pulls us from the heat when we are “done” to His satisfaction!
Yes, life is a lot like a fruitcake! And what a tasty delight it is!