Making pancakes can be a challenge for an 8-year-old. Ben was learning that skill from an uncle over Christmas when he encountered one of those decisions that separate the experienced from the inexperienced. While transferring a cake by spatula from pan to plate, one ended up on the floor. When he picked it up, he quickly realized it was still hot, so he set it back on the spatula! Several surrounding adults suggested that was not a good idea and that he should set it elsewhere; then we could soon remove it to the dog dish. He put it on the counter... on the plate with the other pancakes!
    Oh well, there were no condemning adults around. All we could do was chuckle. We knew thinking on your feet comes with maturity. He just didn't see any of the long-term implications of his decisions.
    When it comes to life's decisions, we are all basically like small children. No matter what we think we know, or how far into the future we think we can anticipate, we really have no idea what our actions will bring about.
    The outside Observer in this is God. He is there to guide us and teach us through His Spirit. Note James' teaching (James 4:15); "Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." If we listen to Him and for His will, we'll know what to do when the pancake hits the floor.

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All Scripture references are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise noted.

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