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One of my favorite surprises from our years in Canada began with a simple, generous idea from my husband: we would deliver a plate of Christmas cookies to every family in the village four miles away.
It was a beautiful sentiment, though I quickly realized the heavy lifting fell to me! Looking at mountains of flour and sugar, I was worried about my own willpower. To get through the process without eating half the ingredients, I decided to fast for three days while I worked. It turned into a deeply spiritual experience. As an inspirational composer, I often find that rhythm and focus lead to the most meaningful creations, and those three days in the kitchen were no different.
That first year, I baked exactly 650 cookies. I also made fruitcake and vacka, a beautiful braided bread. By the second year, we turned it into a family affair. We worked well into the evening, arranging the treats on plates to be delivered across the village. At one point, I questioned if it was worth it. "They’re just going to eat them and they'll be gone," I thought. But my husband felt strongly that this was our gift to give, so we persevered.
Through that experience, the Lord gave me a genuine joy in creating something with my hands to bless others. It wasn't just about the sugar and flour; it was about Platforms of Praise built in the small, quiet moments of service. Seeing how much the families enjoyed those gifts made every hour in the kitchen worth it. It taught me that sharing your heart with those around you is one of the most vital Steps To Joy we can take.
The sweetest part is that we are actually making those same cookies again tonight. It is a tradition that has stayed with me, reminding me that a gift given from the heart creates a melody that lasts far longer than the fleeting taste of a cookie. What simple thing can you do today to share your heart with a neighbor?
