Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too

by | Sep 24, 2024 | Bold in Faith, The SundayMonday Tuesday Archives

When you think of God, who do you envision? Is it a vengeful deity, disappointed by the waywardness of the Israelites? Or do you picture the loving father, joyfully welcoming his prodigal son with a grand feast? Perhaps you think of the God who has intimately, beautifully, and generously worked in your own life.

Throughout my journey with the Lord, I’ve experienced each of these at various times. My Christian walk often feels like a cycle of learning the same lessons, each time allowing them to take deeper root in my heart.


A few weeks ago, I was preparing to go on a trip with my family to Alaska. I needed to leave my house by 1 pm, but at 11 am I was not packed, my apartment was a mess, and there were quite a few things I needed to do to close out work. To put it simply: I was very stressed. And when I am stressed I think I deserve a treat. One of my favorite treats is a $12 gluten-free slice cake from Milk Bar, which becomes an $18 slice of cake once I get it DoorDashed to my house. I know how ridiculous this sounds, but please bear with me.


Anyway, on this Friday, I began craving a slice of cake and wanted to order one, but immediately judgmental thoughts flooded my brain, “If you were more satisfied in the Lord, you wouldn’t need a quick sugar hit to feel better. Why don’t you get on on your knees and pray for peace? Or just get over it? You’re so weak and lazy and gluttonous.”


When you see the words written out, it’s quite clear who is yelling at me in my head (hello, Satan) but in the moment I really thought that maybe I was being all of those things. In a moment of rebellion, I ordered the cake anyway.


Fifteen minutes later, a nice man arrived at my door with a massive bag from Milk Bar. When I carried it up the stairs and opened it, I saw that in the bottom of the bag was not a single slice of cake, but an ENTIRE gluten-free cake. My first thought was, “Jesus loves me!” My second was, “Shoot, this was definitely a mistake and someone is missing their birthday cake.” So I called the store to let them know. They picked up after one ring:


“Hi? Is this Jane? This is Tony! We didn’t make a mistake, I just wanted to send you a whole cake. And yes, I triple-checked, it’s gluten-free.”


I know it might sound like a silly illustration, but this is how God loves us – personally, intimately, generously, and often with a sense of humor. He doesn’t just want us to have one sugary slice of cake when we need a pick-me-up, He wants to surprise us with the whole $120 cake.

 

As C.S. Lewis reminds us in his dazzling Weight of Glory:


Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are halfhearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.


Where in your life are you far too easily pleased right now? Are you making excuses instead of asking the Lord for what you want? Are you settling for scraps of momentary happiness over the great joy he promises us?


In confession a few months ago, a priest told me to stop grasping for a Toyota Yaris when the Lord has a Lamborghini for me. It was so funny I still remember it, and it’s also true.


That doesn’t mean we’re going to get everything we want, when we want it, and how we want it delivered. It does mean we have a good father who can see so so much more than we can, who loves us more than we love ourselves, who knows us better than we know ourselves, and who promises he will never leave us to face our troubles alone.


I want to live with the boldness of asking the Lord for big things, and living in the joy, trust, and freedom of knowing that He hears me, He loves me, and he is always providing for me. Join me there this week (and always!!)

In Christ,

Jane


What I’m Loving Lately

Lord I’ve Settled by Brother Isaiah

This song was bouncing in my head as I wrote the above reflection. Enjoy!

 

Survivor is back!!

And it is the most wonderful, wholesome tv show. Truly the only thing I watch these days!! It premiered last week so you can catch right up!!

Bible study 🫶🏻

I started up a bible study again and… wow. It is so sweet to gather and pray and dive into the word with good friends. I highly, highly recommend gathering in community if you’re hungry for more! It sanctifies me in such good and necessary ways.

It’s St. Therese Novena time!

St. Therese’s (one of my all-time favorite saints – I visited her hometown and tomb this summer!) feast day is October 1 – if you start the novena today you’re only 1-2 days behind, so you can catch up quickly! Here’s a great resource for a St. Therese novena 🙂

 

Me. in St. Therese’s kitchen this summer.

Chocolate moose nails

If you know me, you know my nails are either white or tan… but this week I took a risk and I’m obsessed!! I think it’s called Chocolate Moose by OPI? I love them!! Perfect fall brick for the fall!!

 

Prayer requests

  • For Claire and Duarte who are getting married this weekend!
  • For my mom who is off to walk the Camino today
  • For all those praying fervently for good and noble desires!! That the Lord may hear them and respond in His generous love.

 

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Jane Kennedy

Jane was born in Australia, raised in California, and is overjoyed to now call NYC home. She graduated from UCSB with degrees in Political Science and Communication and spent the past two years working in criminal justice reform. She is currently an MBA student at NYU Stern, focusing on entrepreneurship and strategy.

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