Frosting On The Cake

I love frosting. Give me the corner piece of cake coated in thick luxurious frosting and I'm in heaven, or a sugar cookie lavishly coated in creamy sweetness will do, too. Obviously I have a huge sweet tooth - a topic for another day.

"You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing" (Psalm 65:11-13 NIV).

David, the Psalmist, draws a beautiful picture for us with his words so we can see the many reasons we have to thank God for His blessings. Spring is filled with frosting for the eyes. After two weeks of rain and gloom, we awakened to a bright sunny day and find the lawns becoming lush green carpets of growing grass, dotted with bright spots of colorful tulips, blooming trees and early daffodils.

But scripture also says old age has its frosting. At a time in my life when everything hurts, doctor appointments are the big events of the week, and even walking or getting up from a chair can be painful, it is good to be reminded that there are bonuses to be thankful for that come along with getting older. Instead of focusing on all the broken and worn out parts of our body, here are two blessings that come with 'maturity':

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life" (Proverbs 16:31 NIV). Throw away the box of hair dye and go natural; that gray hair is a crown we've earned!

"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children," (Proverbs 17:6 NIV). Truly the wonderful gift of grandchildren is the very best frosting of life. Having the opportunity and the awareness to watch children learn and grow is a second chance to observe what we missed when our own babies were in our arms. I'm not sure about the second half of the Proverb - maybe that is still coming!

I don't know about you, but I'm going to keep reaching for the frosting on the cake of life. It sure helps me get through the day.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him," (James 1:12 NIV).

Lord, thank you for frosting my life with blessings. Give me a thankful heart and an observant mind to use today.