There once was a baking class, an epic baking class, that a Master Baker offered on an ongoing basis. He would let you in no matter what! There weren't any prerequisites or prior baking skills necessary, no certain GPA or test score needed. People just had to enroll. So sweetly simple.
In the class at the same time were two particular young bakers. They were thrilled to be in the class and to team up for an assignment to create a spectacular cake. They could've chosen anyone in the class but they chose each other. The young man was loyal, faithful, protective, a giver, a leader, generous, logical, a hard worker, long-suffering, thoughtful, smart, handsome, honest, and chivalrous among many other qualities and gifts. The young woman was loyal, faithful, positive, a giver, discerning, generous, logical, a hard worker, encouraging, talkative, caring, smart, honest, pretty, and adventurous among many other qualities and gifts.
The young woman began by asking other bakers and the Master Baker what they thought. They approved of the young man. So, she proceeded... with warning the young man that this cake would take awhile and had specific instructions, a specific recipe. He said he was all in.
They began! They talked a bit about how they wanted the end cake to look like and who's other creations they had seen in the class to possibly try to mimic. They schemed about what to put in the cake to make it delicious. They picked out a mixer, measuring cups galore, spatulas, pans a plenty, different flours, all the sugars, eggs, baking powder and soda, and expensive vanilla. Those were the basics; they were ready to start. Later, they knew they could request other ingredients or search the classroom, since it offered the most exquisite ones imaginable!
The days flew. They were filled with fun. She sifted flours and asked questions, while he measured and easily placed items in a bowl. She added things, he added things. He even teased about putting in crazy foods, so she threw flour at him. A mini food fight ensued.
The weeks flew. They were filled with work. Fondant was rolled out, sugar creations were painfully crafted, and the timeline was reviewed. In the kitchen, the young man and woman did not always accept the others ideas or ingredients. Shocker. They poked at each other's cake layers, which is necessary to see if it's cooked through but can be exhausting. However, both added stuff without the other knowing! So, sometimes they took time to talk and see what the other had in mind, and forgiveness was requested and given. They got the item out of the batter and started over in love. They knew the other wasn't perfect but they made a good teammate. Still, they were smart and asked other bakers for advice in order to make a great cake.
One day, a layer of cake was about to go in the oven to bake. The guy wanted it to bake 30 minutes but the gal was sure it would take 40 minutes. They were at an impasse.
She simply stated that right now it wasn't the right time. It was hard to say and hard to swallow. It was confusing and crushing.
And that's where the story ends. The young bakers' cake was not finished. They didn't blame the other but had to wait. Each needed to re-evaluate with the Master Baker's recipe.
Relationships are like cake. They can be great, even spectacular. They're fun to make at times, while other times you gotta really focus to put in the seemingly perfect measure.
Bakers aren't perfect but the Master Baker, Jesus Christ, most certainly is.
In my dating relationship, what I wanted and what my guy wanted were good; we both wanted a wedding cake in the end. We both stayed true to ourselves and changed in many, good ways during our journey together. We learned a lot and did our best for the other.
We had fun (hiking, helicopter rides, skiing, etc), we said sweet things (I read my Valentine's Day card basically everyday thereafter), we fought, we cried, we made up, we watched shows, we drove miles and miles, we listened, we cleaned up messes, we said I love you, we laughed, we stared at each other, we made funny noises (okay he did!), we played, we camped, we laughed...
I do not regret anything I said or did or the time we shared. We let each other into our lives and are better for it. I will take the blame for taking so long, for struggling. I wanted it to work; I wanted the cake so bad.
It's not the right time for us and that's okay. It still hurts ...a lot. Though, I'd rather break a bone and have it mend now in the grand scheme of life versus potentially have years of resentment, years of heartache, years of not feeling good enough, years of unwanted questions, years of not appreciating each other, years of feeling like we're not getting wants/needs met.
We both may not fully understand right now why the relationship had to end, but I am confident that one day we will.
I hope we both go to God in our hurt, anger, confusion -- any emotion or thought -- for answers and evaluation. I hope we both can be exceedingly happy in the future, whatever happens. I hope, as we go to God and godly friends, we get to know Jesus better and love Him more each day, for each of those relationships to be deeper and richer. I hope we both know we're in God's hands and loved by Him just the way we are and well beyond any love either could ever give the other.
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