To preface this reflection, I am a New Orleans girl and I make King Cakes between the start of the new year, right up until Ash Wednesday. It’s a traditional cake and to go back to it’s Christian-Catholic roots, the three colors — purple, green, and gold — represent the three wise men and the little plastic baby inside represents Jesus. If you find baby Jesus in your piece of cake, not only do you have prosperity for the new year, but you’re also like one of the wise men who were in search of Him! 

This year I made about 40 cakes to order. That’s double of what I made last year; about 20! I found this reflection from last year and thought I’d share because I definitely needed to be reminded of this truth. I hope that this reflection also reminds you as well. 

In no way was a prepared for the outpouring of responses I received from people interested in my King Cakes. I was overwhelmed with joy to say the least and excited to share a piece of my home with “the people up north.” I was sad that I had to turn so many of you down, but by the fourth cake and with the time limit I set for myself I was beginning to think that I couldn’t even do this much. 

Then The Lord placed a passage on my heart… the passage about two sisters who were preparing for The Lord in different ways. The first was cleaning and preparing food and the second was still as she sat at His feet [Luke 10:38-42]. Both good and necessary. Both preparations are mighty, but when utilized in a balance, The Lord’s graces are endless. 

The Lord convicted me as I made these cakes. “Kateri, don’t forget about Mary.” Okay. I thought. How was I going to be like Mary if I had to continue to prepare as Martha did?

I sat with this for a day or two and talked to my dad about it. “Dad, how can I find this balance when I’m supposed to choose God first over my work?” He responded, “You’re not choosing your work over The Lord… You are able to have a balance because you have The Lord.” So I balanced. Whenever I found my work seeming like a chore and no longer an “artistic outlet,” I would pray for the person who ordered the cake I was making. Whenever I thought “this is too much,” I tried to remember the person’s intentions… and then I’d pray for all the good graces. Balance. 

All this being said, The Lord has used these two weeks to show me what it means to serve and to be served. And that serving doesn’t mean giving and giving until I’m empty, but giving and refilling as I give. I often say, “speak Lord, your servant is listening.” However, it is this week that I was reminded of The Lord who says, “Speak, for your Servant is listening.” He provided and He provides. 

May God give you the sweetest peace