When my daughter was three or four years old, she loved to “help” me in the kitchen. If I announced that I was making cookies, she would get a chair and push it over to the countertop, ready to join me in the process. She loved measuring flour, cracking eggs (always an adventure) and stirring the ingredients. Although at times it seemed that more of the dough ended up on her clothes than on the cookie sheet, the whole experience filled her with both pride and pleasure. When we would share our cookies with the rest of the family, she loved to announce, “I made these!”
Did I need my daughter’s “help” in the kitchen? Of course not. On my own, I could have baked the cookies a lot faster and with a lot less mess. But I loved her desire to be with me. It made my heart glad for her to join me and for us to share this time together.
When I look back on these cookie making memories it helps me to understand how I “help” my heavenly Father in ministry and missions. He does not in any way need me. He could accomplish things faster and with less mess without me. And yet, He delights for me to join Him in His kingdom work. He allows me the joy of laboring alongside Him. He knows that being a part of the process will bring me a sense of purpose and pleasure. As Tozer said, “He needs no one, but when faith is present He works through anyone.”
