A Special Recipe

Even though the fig trees are all destroyed, and there is neither blossom left nor fruit, and though the olive crops all fail, and the fields lie barren; even if the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my Strength, and he will give me the speed of a deer and bring me safely over the mountains. Habakkuk 3:17-19 (TLB)

Linawati Santoso lives in East Java, Indonesia. Her birthday was coming up, and she really wanted to celebrate it with cake. The problem was that they did not have enough money to buy one. Her sister knew Linawati wanted cake, so she made one. Instead of using flour, butter, and milk, she used sweet potatoes and coconut. First her sister steamed the sweet potatoes, and then she mashed them. Then she shaped them into a cake and sprinkled it with grated coconut.

Her sister did not spend much money making that cake. Sweet potatoes and coconut were inexpensive, but the cake was beautiful and delicious.Linawati was so happy! She thanked God for her special birthday cake.

From this experience Linawati realized that happiness is not dependent on money or wealth. This is why Habakkuk could rejoice despite having no crops or livestock or other material wealth.

Today we may not have much money or wealth. We cannot buy everything we like. But we still can be happy. Because we have God, we have everything we need in life. Like Habakkuk, we can rejoice in the LORD.

Prayer: Dear God, help us not to rely on money or wealth for our happiness. remind us that true joy comes only from you, in Jesus' name. Amen.