Mud Pie

A mud pie is a term used for a kid making a pie or cake from mud. It is normally made and prepared in an imaginary kitchen with all the “bells and whistles,” close to a safe home, by the world’s “top chefs” with a couple of months’ experience in shapes. The ingredients are sand and water, with a sprinkle of little rocks for crunch. The best thing about this little pop-up restaurant is that the chef will not only prepare the dish but also serve it to you... and then wait to see you enjoy the blob (slice) of heaven.

Mastercard ran this ad campaign called “Priceless.” One of the ads would start with a baby walking around the house, dragging a box. A voice-over would list the price of toys, nappies, food and the rest of the costs for all the products you need to raise a baby. Then the ad ends with the line, “Seeing your baby play with a cardboard box? Priceless!” That sums up the moment. It might not feel that expensive, but it truly is priceless. For some reason, the older we get, the more willing we are to go back to those moments, if it were possible.

The value of the moment is more than the weather, the venue, or the price of the mud pie.

I think it is the soul’s desire to be in the moment with the tiny chef, making their imaginary mud pie.

It is two little hands taking the time to make you something with the limited resources that have been given to them. They have never worked this hard or been this dirty to make you that pie. From their point of view, there is no higher price they could pay to give it to you. Both of you know that it will never really be consumed, and no one will write a review about this mud pie being the best mud pie in South Africa, but it is more than that.

I just think maybe making a mud pie for God is more valuable than whatever the hell I am trying to do now. My life as a living sacrifice is anything but that. I am Cain, and I wish to be more like Abel so I can bring my mud pies to God and have Him find pleasure in my offering.

Unfortunately, the truth is I am Cain. I will not go into the mud to make the pies. I will bring grass and sticks and expect God to find joy in my offering. I use my version of a half-assed mud pie to try and twist the arm of God to my will. Some might say me trying to make a metaphorical mud pie is living under the law, to which I would reply: I know I am no longer under the law. I am bought free by the Blood, but just because grace has saved me does not mean I am allowed to bring an offering less than what is worthy of the God who died for me on the middle cross!

Therefore, I would say: get in the mud. This means you will need to face the person in the mirror, cut through the lies, and get into the mud of what we call life. Then, make the best possible mud pie as an offering to the God who created everything!

You might just be surprised when He turns your mud pie into something real.