A Little More Batter Might Start a Fire

Awhile back I baked a cake for our nephews birthday. I mixed the cake batters and poured them into the extra large pan. I had a little left that I thought, "I really shouldn't put this in, but it's not enough for even a small cake? I don't want to throw it out. This little bit won't make a big difference, right?"

Well, have you predicted the outcome yet?

Of course, as the cake baked and the house filled with the aroma of delicious chocolate and vanilla...another smell started to seep into the air. At first, it was mild and then it intensified. Yes, the batter started to bake over the edges and to the bottom of the oven. As it baked and baked on the base, it started to overcook, burn, and I'm ashamed to admit...start to flame. Yes, baby flames in the over! Oh boy. It wasn't a 911 call, just enough to require turning off the oven, removing the cake, and closing the door. Once oxygen was removed from the equation, nothing but smoke remained. Phew... As I thought about the mess I had to clean once the oven cooled down, a life lesson infiltrated my brain. How many times in my life had I put just a little more of something in my life, thinking, a little bit won't hurt me. Only to end up getting burned in the end. Can you relate?

Granted, my oven looked nothing like the one in today's blog but sometimes our life feels and looks like the mess illustrated here. A little more cake batter, made a huge difference. Then it created an even bigger mess to clean up and a modification to my evening plans - since I still had a cake to bake, cool, and decorate for the following day's party. Was it worth including the extra batter? No it wasn't. What are some areas in your life that you've done, just a little bit more, or possibly said just one more thing, that created a bigger mess and bit of trouble than you ever planned or expected? I don't think there is anyone who can claim they are free from making a mistake, poor judgement call, or misjudging a proper amount of ? in a situation. The first step is to recognize we aren't perfect.

But guess what, we were designed to be perfect - we are designed to be the best "?" we can be. God formed me and created me to be the best Lisa Allen Buske I could be in His name, strength, and love. You are the only one to do, learn, and be you. No one else can take your place or do it better. We are not gifted like the person next to us because we weren't born to be them. What does this have to do with burnt cake batter? A lot, because we are imperfect, we will make mistakes, and sometimes these make a mess.

A mess that Jesus saved us from.


Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, 
the new creation 
The old has gone, 
the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Our pastor encourages us to not just believe in Jesus or God but to live Jesus in all we say, think, and do. When we do this, life takes a different venue and direction when the batter overflows, or when the cake finishes baking and turns out beautifully. In God's eyes, we are all beautiful.


I make mistakes.
I am not perfect.
I will mess up again.
I apologize.
I extend forgiveness and receive it.


I am human...but a new one ~ trying the best I can! Has your cake batter every spilled over and started a fire?
What about your own actions or words?
Was there a lesson learned? Will you share in a comment below?