Free cupcakes

There are moments when life just needs a few more colorful sprinkles.

I was in the grocery store the other day and overheard a little girl asking—nay, begging—her mom for a cupcake with purple icing and rainbow sprinkles. Her mom told her that those were not at this grocery store—they were at the special cupcake shop (one can assume something like Sprinkles or Dimples). The girl then pleaded with her mom to take her there, but her mother politely informed her little princess that those cupcakes were way too overpriced, especially to eat on a Wednesday afternoon.

Umm...really? (By the way, yes, at this point I was eavesdropping. Hey, I am easily entertained.)

"Well, I think cupcakes should be free for everyone!"

Cupcakes can be full of pizzaz!

I love the innocence and wisdom of a 5-year-old. (I only knew her age because her mom later told her that 5-year-olds should not act so pouty. I thought you were allowed to do that as a young child, but apparently I hold incorrect beliefs in this regard. If you're 5 and don't get your cherished cupcake, you'd better man-up and put on a happy face.) That was a really long parenthetical thought.

I started wondering what life would be like if everyone really did get free cupcakes. Assuming people wouldn't all become obese extreme gluttons, would there be a little bit more joy? As a teacher, I've seen the power of cupcakes at full force—people go crazy for those things! And it's not just the kiddos—apparently many adults have special cupcake-shaped holes in their hearts that they love to fill.

I honestly don't even like cupcakes, but I can see how just seeing them can excite people. They are generally presented in very attractive ways, and you can get really creative with them. And when they are topped with special toys, trinkets or plastic rings, talk about a glee-filled moment! Even I try to sneak a ring off a cupcake when the opportunity presents itself.

Plus, cupcakes are normally enjoyed at happy occasions. Birthday party? Cupcakes! Congrats on a new job? Cupcakes! Baby shower? Cupcakes! Wednesday afternoon? Cup—oops. I forgot. That's unacceptable.

The good news is that we can have our own cupcakes from God on a daily basis, even if they aren't quite in the form of sugar-loaded, bakery-made cavity-makers. But He constantly puts people and things in our lives that are meant to add that purple icing and sprinkles of multiple colors. And they usually last a lot longer.

You know what else is pretty neat? You could be a sprinkle or cupcake in someone else's life. You are a special piece of joy to another—a complete blessing from the most powerful and delicate Baker this world has ever known.

And one of the best parts is that His cupcakes are always available—even on Wednesday afternoons.