By S. Maisie Ng
(S. Maisie ministers at City Rescue Mission in New Castle, Pennsylvania.)
Today, I received a donation of some desserts. Among them was a cake that looked terrible. It had been dropped, leaving it misshapen and messy. As I held it in my hands, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. How could I possibly offer this to someone? It was far from perfect. However, as part of our outreach, we leave food at the entrance for those in need, allowing them to take what they need.
But when I brought the cake outside, was . I have high standards for cakes. I make them myself, and I take pride in their appearance and quality. This one looked far from appetizing. But then, a lady walked in, saw the cake, and her face lit up with joy. She exclaimed that the cake looked amazing, making her mouth water, and she expressed how much she loved it.
At that moment, I felt a lump in my throat. This feeling lingered with me all day. Later, during my evening walk, I reflected deeply on my emotions. I asked God why this experience had affected me so profoundly. Why did this seemingly small interaction stay with me, making me reconsider my perceptions? Then, God revealed something profound. I am like that cake.
In the eyes of the world, I have often felt flawed, unworthy, even broken. There have been times when I have judged myself harshly, seeing only my imperfections, believing I was not enough. But God has never seen me that way. He has always seen me as fearfully and wonderfully made, just as that lady saw the cake and delighted in it.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God proves his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This verse reminds me that God’s love is never conditional. He does not wait for us to be perfect before loving us. He sees beauty in what the world discards, finds value in what seems broken, and welcomes us with open arms, no matter how damaged we believe ourselves to be.
Through this simple interaction, God gave me a new understanding of His love, not just for me, but for those I struggle to love. I realized that my ability to love others is limited. I tend to judge, to categorize, to determine who is “worthy” of kindness and grace. The truth is that love, true love, is not about worthiness. It is about a reflection of God’s heart.
If I am to love fully, I must depend on Him. Only through God’s strength can I truly love those I find difficult to embrace. This experience was more than just an ordinary day. It was a lesson, a reminder, and a call to love as He loves.
