The Cheesecake Fiasco of ‘08

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV)

I love cheesecake. Love it! Seriously, cheesecake and I are best buddies. Here is where the Cheesecake Fiasco of ’08 began. My family and I were dining at Atlanta Bread Company. After finishing a half-sandwich/salad combo, I was hankering for something sweet (that’s southern for wanted it real bad). The usual chocolate chip cookie just wasn’t going to satisfy. I wanted cheesecake. Not just any cheesecake. Not the one with fruit spilling over the top. I wanted a chocolaty cheesecake concoction of some sort.

With anticipation, I approached the dessert case noticing the condensation pooling inside the glass. Carefully studying each cheesecake, I mentally made my selection and headed to the table to get money. My sweet cherubs were whooping and hollering like the clowns at a western rodeo. As they ran around the table, the long arm of my husband reached out to snatch them. It was then I realized the glory of eating cheesecake would not be mine. It was time to go.

My husband offered to take me to Target, but I declined, with hollow thoughts of chocolate cookies and cream cheesecake. I rode in silence on the way home wishing, dreaming, yearning for just one sweet slice of creamy cheesy delight. By the time I reached home, I was mad.

The rest of the evening went by while I pouted, wishing for a dessert I did not have. Silly, I know. I missed the Target end-of-aisle clearance. I missed playing in the driveway with the kids until dark. I missed enjoying the coolness of a summer evening with my spouse because of cheesecake. Cheesecake! Okay, so maybe it wasn’t because of the cheesecake. It was because of me.

I was so caught up in the idea of having cheesecake; I couldn’t look past it and enjoy the rest of my night. I robbed my own self of good times. While reading my Bible, I came across Isaiah 43:18-19. I read, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” And the Lord whispered, “Remember the Cheesecake Fiasco of ’08?”

Dear Lord, I do remember the Cheesecake Fiasco. Forgive me for dwelling in the past. It’s so easy to become angry and disappointed when my plans do not come to fruition. Help me to look past them and look for the new thing you are doing. I know you are making a way in the dessert, I mean desert. Please do a new thing in me. Amen.

By the way, my husband took me to The Cheesecake Factory for our anniversary. What a good man.