I used to get so excited about the holidays. It meant I could do what I was known for—baking.  Starting in September, I would get out my collection of cookbooks and find recipes. I’d have my children vote on which things I should make. And of course, I had to search for that one new recipe for the year. And it wasn’t just simple desserts; I made a complicated variety of things and at least one very extravagant dessert.

When my sponsor suggested that I should not bake, I ignored her. She was young, unmarried, and had no children. She didn’t understand that baking was one of the ways I showed my love. I put not only the baking ingredients into that batter, but also, and most importantly, tons and tons of love. And so I baked. It was very difficult. I had to have one of my children in the room with me at all times to prevent me from eating batter or licking the spoon. I remember their screams as I automatically would stick my finger into the bowl and then put it up to my mouth. I had so many close calls. But I continued to bake. How crazy!

The next holiday season, my sponsor again suggested I should not bake. This time I thought about her suggestion. I knew exactly what I was going to do. I knew that I was the absolute finest baker in the area and that nothing would meet the needs of my family like my homemade goods. So I made it a goal to prove it to my sponsor. I purchased dessert items in bakeries that were similar to those I had made in prior years. I placed them on the same special platters that I had used year after year. I offered them to my children, knowing they would be horribly disappointed. But they didn’t notice! My children, my friends, my family—none of them asked me if I changed my recipes or was having problems with my oven. No one noticed that there was nothing new and extravagant. They all acted as if those purchased baked goods were as good as those I had made with all that love.  They couldn’t tell the difference!

I was devastated. All of the energy looking for products that visually matched what I had made was for naught. I proved nothing to my sponsor, except that there was no need for me to bake. And so that was the end of my baking career.

The following year I had to do something with my children, so we started a new tradition. I went to the local craft store and we purchased several different kits for making ornaments. My children really liked pouring crystals into molds and watching them melt and make beautiful “stained glass” ornaments, which I still hang on the tree today. We made ornaments out of felt and clothespins. The following year we made candles. They loved this new tradition so much more, because the items they made lasted for more than one bite. Friends also loved getting gifts and my children loved giving gifts that they created.

Now my children are grown. I look at my tree and see the memories that we made together. And I have maintained my weight and my sanity. God is good!