A Spoonful of Sugar: Your Daily Dose of Laughter

By Emily Ann Alexander

This 365 day Biblical devotional applies hysterical real life stories from the life of Author Emily Alexander to the Word of God. Her prayer is that every reader will come away with numerous belly laughs and a greater sense of how personal the love of Christ is.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A Spoonful of Sugar
• Release date: Apr 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9780989657112

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"Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible,

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

January 1

James 4

Excuse me for loving my mother

One of the first memories I have of my childhood is when I had a run in with the cops at the age of four. My parents had gone away for the weekend, and I was staying with my grandparents, Meme and Papa.  My mother, Shelley, had called to see how things were going.  When she felt our chat had come to a conclusion she said her goodbyes and hung up. I was not quite finished with the conversation and decided it was best to go ahead and turn her in. I dialed 911 and told the officer about how my mom had hung up on me. When Meme heard what was going on, she interrupted my phone call and scolded me. Next thing I knew the doorbell rang and a man in uniform was standing at the door, ready to take me to prison. Okay, he was actually ready to explain to me that I was only to use those numbers in case of an emergency. I assured him that I understood and told him I would never again try to get my mom arrested for hanging up on me.

So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.

James 4:17

I can promise you that I had been told under what circumstances it was appropriate to call the police. Even at four years old, I knew better than to do that. Yet, when it came down to obeying or handling it my own way, I chose to do wrong.  I sinned. That’s all there is to it. Looking back, that is a cute story. As an adult, though, choosing to do wrong when I know better is certainly not cute, and it displeases my Savior. My prayer for you and for myself is that our minds will be so saturated with His righteousness  that choosing to do what is right in His eyes will come naturally to us. Yes, we are human. Yes we will have countless moments of sin. But thanks be to God who releases our chains and sets us free no matter the crime.

January 2

Galatians 6

Complete what is lacking

My brother, David, and I are five years and five days apart. I have never had a baby, but I imagine it is pretty exhausting. The week my brother was brought home, we had family in and out, assisting wherever necessary. As Bub lay peacefully sleeping in his crib, I peeked through the railings to watch my new toy rest. I refer to him as a toy because of my love for baby dolls when I was a little girl. I felt I had practiced holding them long enough and was ready for the real deal. Mom was asleep for probably the first time in a couple of days, and everyone else was busy. Being the older and wiser sister that I am I knew I could get him on my own. I went to the bathroom, dragged the step stool I used when brushing my teeth, placed it by the crib, tip-toed/leaned far enough over to cradle my newborn baby brother, lifted him over the rail, removed my feet from the stepstool, and walked into the living room, proud as a peacock. My family was still, pale, white, and silent as Papa lifted him from my arms. Personally, I was offended that they took my doll away without asking.

Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it].

Galatians 6:2

This particular passage speaks of how we are to handle areas of spiritual weakness in other people. It says we are to carry their burdens, not just leave them alone in the crib. As I (unwisely) did with my brother at five years old I am purposely to do now. We are to lift those around us out of whatever issue they may be facing. How thankful I am for the people God has placed in my life to be my hope when mine has run dry, to be my truth when doubt creeps in, and to be my joy in the midst of heartache. Let’s strive to be intentional to complete what is lacking in others with the attitude of Christ, who has no need of a stepstool in order to lift and carry us, burdens and all.

January 3

2 Chronicles 14

Let’s go fly a kite

It was a day I had anticipated my entire life—all five years of it: kite day in Kindergarten, the day we all got to bring our multicolored flying objects to school with us. Our kites were unseen until recess. But then we all leaped up and ran to the playground with extra speed and giddiness.

The wind was gusting away at the perfect number of miles per hour. I was running at the speed of light as my kite string unwound, sending it into the clouds. I must have been too mesmerized to see that I was headed straight toward a fence. The next thing I knew, my foot was stuck in the barbed wire separating the school playground and somebody’s backyard. There I sat—crying, kiteless, dirty, and stuck. I looked around and saw nobody who shared in this dilemma, nobody to cry with. Then I saw her. Whoever was on recess duty that day had spotted me. I was no longer alone. She came a-runnin’, her whistle swinging. Then she bent down, wiped my tears, and maneuvered my foot loose. Thank you, unnamed hero, for hearing my cry for help.

Asa cried to the Lord his God, O Lord, there is none besides You to help, and it makes no difference to You whether the one You help is mighty or powerless. Help us, O Lord our God! For we rely on You, and we go against this multitude in Your name. O Lord, You are our God; let no man prevail against You!

2 Chronicles 14:11

2 Chronicles 14 tells a powerful story. Verse 2 says, And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. He had an army of 300,000 mighty men of courage from Judah (v.8). When the Ethiopians with an army of men too many to be numbered (v.9) came out against Judah, Asa had two choices: panic or pray. We see in verse 11 what he chose. The Lord smote the Ethiopians, and they fled.

I like to put myself in stories in order to grasp what they must have been feeling. First, there is not a day in my life that I have felt mighty. Most days I feel stuck in a barbed-wire fence. If an army so large I am unable to count it were ready to fight me, I would panic. But Asa chose to rely on his God and the power of His name, and he prevailed. Unlike the nameless woman who came to my rescue that day, my God has a name, and we can confidently go against a multitude when we use it.

January 4

2 Corinthians 4

The foam pit

My parents started me off in gymnastics when I was a toddler, and I loved everything about it. Correction I loved everything but one part: the foam pit. Perhaps this was because of an encounter I had with it.

Gymnastics was the highlight of my week. I would have worn my leotard all day, every day if possible. After participating on bars, mat, and balance beam, it was time for the pit. My class, made up of several five and six year old girls, all stood in line, awaiting our turn to run and jump off the trampoline, and into the swimming pool sized pit of foam cubes. I learned at the age of twenty-two that these are made from gorilla’s gut, but that’s beside the point. I wasn’t afraid of them yet, so when it came my turn, I dove in full force. The gymnast who went before me popped up, crawled to the edge, and hopped out. I must have been absent during our lesson on how to pop up after jumping in because for the life of me, I could not emerge from the sea of itchy foam. I don’t recall how long it took for my coach to realize I needed help. I do recall that I was allowed to skip that part of gymnastics from that day on, probably because I started crying as soon as we began approaching that pit of doom.

We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair. 2 Corinthians 4:8

I most definitely felt pressed on every side, embarrassed and unable to find a way out. He did not allow me to be crushed—my dreams of being an Olympian yes, but not me. Eventually a way out was provided, and the embarrassment I felt drifted off.

There are times in my life when my heart seems utterly crushed. God is not intimidated by my moments of what seem to be desperation. 2 Corinthians 4:8 says that I will not be driven to despair. That is solely because of the hope that I have in Christ. Every other area in my life may be pressing but desperation is not a word that we are to be associated with. No matter how long you are waiting in the pit, He promises He will not allow you to be crushed.

January 5

Deuteronomy 17

Presumptuously

I grew up with a black poodle named Pooh. When I was seven, our sweet boy passed away. He had been my constant companion since the day I was born, so without him there was a void. That void needed to be filled by a goldfish. After much begging and promising that I would take perfect care of my new pet, Mom and I ventured out to the store. As I longingly gazed into every tank, I settled on the goldfish that I felt the strongest connection with. I held the bowl carrying him/her/it on my lap the whole way home and could hardly wait to get there to start playing with my new friend. First things first, I thought. The poor thing looked famished! I needed to feed it.

No grandma on Thanksgiving has prepared a feast like I did that day. I shook that fish food container until it was empty. I’ll let you finish this story on your own. It’s a bit too painful to confess what happened afterwards.

And all the people shall hear and [reverently] fear, and not act presumptuously again.

Deuteronomy 17:13

To be presumptuous is to be overly confident. This is exactly what I was that fateful day long ago. In Deuteronomy God spoke to the leaders of His people, warning them that if their actions were not in line with His commands they would be killed. Praise Jesus for His sacrifice on the cross that enables us to now live by His grace. Even so, our actions have consequences. I didn’t seek my mom for help when feeding the fish and it died. When I go into a situation without first reverently bowing before my God first, it will surely fail.

May not one step of our day be taken without first humbly placing it before His feet.

January 6

2 Corinthians 10

Double wedding

My cousin, Angela, is fifteen months older than I am. I don’t have many childhood memories that don’t involve her, ranging from Disney princess singing contests to pushing me around Disney World in a wheelchair because my legs got chapped after the water ride. In 2012 I was the maid of honor in her wedding. That special day of matrimony looked a bit different from what we had imagined as children, though.

Like many young ladies, Angela and I dreamed of our wedding. Meme had nightgowns we wore as if they were wedding dresses. Our future lives looked like this to us: We would grow up and go to cosmetology school. (I went on to do this, cousin less.) From there we would open Cousins’ Cut’s and Curls. While busy making the world a more beautiful place, we would encounter twin brothers. They would take us on countless double dates, and the four of us would settle on when to have our double wedding. After the joy of accompanying each other on our honeymoons, our duplex would be ready and waiting for our return. That would be the home where we would raise the twins we would deliver on the same day. As I look back on that sweet-yet- very-creepy-picture of our lives, one thing sticks out. Oh, that’s right:

Angie’s husband, Josh, is not a twin.

[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)

2 Corinthians 10:5

Oh boy I can only imagine what God was thinking as Ang and I went on and on about our future lives together. And I can only imagine what He thinks now of plans that I make for myself. How easy it is to let my imagination run wild as if I know what is best for my life. If I am to take every thought captive, that means I have to know the Word of God so well that I know when what I am thinking does not fall in line with the obedience Christ calls me to. What runs through my mind can either destroy me or be a constant reminder of God’s truth. We must take every desire to Jesus and throw it in His perfectly, sovereign hands.

January 7

Ephesians 6

Cummerbund

Singing has always been my favorite hobby. I have even been told that I sing in my sleep! While other kids preferred P.E, choir was the class I couldn’t wait for in elementary school. For most performances we wore matching Tshirts. But every now and then we got to go all out and wear the cummerbund.

I considered adding to this page a picture of myself sporting this attire so you could get a visual definition of the word awkward but decided against it. I didn’t realize at the time just how unflattering those sashes were even if to this day, my mother would say they are adorable.

The curling iron did its best to tame my frizzy afro. My round gold glasses flickered when the light hit them just right. Then there was my crisp white tuxedo shirt adorned with a Christmas-red bow tie and matching cummerbund.  Look out world, I thought. After putting that outfit on, I felt ready for anything.

Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breast plate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God.

Ephesians 6:14

Meme used to tell me that she mentally put on the armor of God before she got out of bed every morning. As an adult I understand the importance of doing exactly that. When tightening the belt of truth, even if I have to add a couple of notches, it needs to be secure enough that it won’t fall off. Unless you live in a bubble, you are constantly surrounded by lies of the world, telling you how your life ought to look. Hold your ground. The breast plate of integrity is meant to cover my heart. Righteousness should be what makes our hearts beat faster. Knowing that the God of the universe dwells in us should define our behavior.

Look out world! I’ve got something better than a cummerbund!

January 8

Psalm 3

Head shaped dent

The time between being a child and being a teenager is often referred to as the tween years. During this phase of life, I was in a girl’s Bible study with several of my fellow tweens. We had a lot of slumber parties in those days. But one sleepover comes to mind before all the rest.

The majority of us in the Bible study lived in one–story houses, so when we got to spend the night in a house with a staircase, we were delighted. There was so much more room for activities—activities that involved a sleeping bag and the staircase. The rules were simple. You sat at the top of the staircase inside your portable bed, and someone pushed until you slid down the steps and onto the pile of pillows we built for landing. What fun! When my turn came, somewhere between being pushed and the soft landing, I got into trouble. Somehow my feet-first slide changed into me flying head first at the speed of light into a wall.

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Psalm 3:3

Thankfully a headache was all that came from that mishap. In Psalm 3, David was fleeing from his son, Absalom. But he did not allow himself to dwell on the current situation. His confidence was found in something (Someone) bigger than his circumstances.

I can’t say that I remember my attitude after my failed stunt, but most likely I pouted out of embarrassment. When life isn’t lining up the way I would like, I tend to shut down, not only mentally but physically. Then I remind myself that He is Lord over every aspect of my life. We should try as David did to look beyond the wall of circumstances that can stop us in our tracks. We must mindfully keep our focus on the Shield and Lifter of our heads.

January 9

John 13

Becoming a woman

WARNING: I am getting ready to start a sentence with a word that starts with P and ends with uberty. It’s one of the all-time favorite stories among many people I know, but if you feel the need to skip today, I get it. Puberty, however, is not optional, and it’s not up to us when and where it begins.

Oh, the joys of summer camp: Cramming all your belongings into a duffle bag, riding in a bus for a couple of hours, and ending up in the middle of nowhere for a week–long slumber party with your best friends! For a sixth-grade girl, life doesn’t get much better, until that sixth- grade girl becomes a sixth-grade woman in the middle of the week. Word got around, and before I knew it, every female sponsor whom I had known most of my life, I might add, was hugging me with tears in her eyes, congratulating me.

Thank you, I guess, um, I’m gonna’ go swim now.

(Insert maternal words of advice here.)

Okay, I won’t swim today, I thought. I will just sit here and look at my bunk bed, now covered in items all twenty- five of you went and got from your purses and handed to me.

Jesus said to him, You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later on. John 13:7

Having been on the opposite side of this inevitable situation, I see that those sweet women, many of whom I now call friends, were filling in for my mom. At the time I was frustrated and confused. Now I’m grateful.

In John 13 Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. This story portrays the extent of our Savior’s love. When it was Peter’s turn to have his feet washed by Christ, he was hesitant. When we don’t fully grasp what is going on, our first reaction is often to question. In this story, Jesus shows us how we are to serve and love one another. Although people may not understand why at the time, your acts of servanthood will not go unappreciated by God. With that said, Kathy, Diana, Linda S., Linda L., Annette, Debbie, Beverley, Sandy, and several others, I understand now! Thank you.

January 10

Psalm 42

I look like a poodle

Smack-dab in the middle of my thirteenth year, all the girls my age were getting their hair cut. How lovely they looked with their new bobs! Hey Mom, can I cut my hair above my shoulders like all the other girls are doing I begged. I distinctly remember her saying she didn’t think that was a very good idea, given my hair type. Eventually I wore her down, and she said OK.

Now, dear readers, my hair is thick and curly and frizzes if it’s raining three states away. After using product and irons (that I did not own), the stylist spun me around. My hair looked better than I could have imagined!

I showered that night and went to bed. But when I awoke and saw my reflection, something had changed. I had turned into a poodle, and there was nothing that could be done. My pony tail had been donated, and I had to go to church! At least I had a new dress to put on. That makes most things better for young girls. As I walked into the sanctuary and looked up at the choir loft, I noticed something. Right before my eyes stood a soprano twice my age wearing the same dress.

Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him. For I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my God.

Psalm 42:5

Why is my soul cast down? How much time do you have? As insignificant as that long-ago situation is to my life now, the truth is that I felt straight–up ugly that day. In Psalm 42 the authors were the sons of Korah, and believe me, they were struggling with a whole lot more than a bad haircut. They were in deep depression. I find it so interesting that they literally began to talk to their own souls. Why should you moan? they asked. Next they told their souls what to do: hope and wait. Finally, they expressed what they had chosen to do: praise Him.

What an example to follow! If the sons of Korah can do this in the midst of excruciating reproach, then I have no excuse. Unlike that dress, my hope will not be destroyed.

January 11

Psalm 126

What is that?

My oldest cousin, Tyler, married Julie in 2005. I was fifteen at the time. One of her wedding showers was hosted at the very large home of a dear friend of our Meme, a home so large that when Angela and I wandered off to look for a bathroom, I wondered if we needed to stop and ask for directions. At last we found one.

Hey Gi , I asked, Why are there two toilets? My all-knowing cousin just looked at me as I analyzed the duvet. But of course I proceeded to lean down and push the button on top of this unknown contraption and was sprayed directly in the face by toilet water. To this day I have not seen Angela laugh that hard.

Then were our mouths filled with laughter, and our tongues with singing. Then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them.

Psalm 126:2

Angie’s mouth was filled with laughter. Mine was a little busy. Psalm 126 is all about the freedom we have in Christ. The kind of laughter my cousin experienced due to my ridiculousness is not what verse 2 is referring to. It is, instead, the kind of laughter that just oozes out of people who truly find their joy in what the Lord has done in their lives. Because of Him there is doubtless rejoicing (Psalm 126:6).

January 12

Psalm 27

Lake front condo

The women in my family take an annual weekend getaway to Branson, Missouri. For the past several years we have stayed at a hotel with an indoor water park. We loved it, but you can only go down the same two slides for so many years. It was time to switch it up. We decided on a lakefront condo.

The long drive was behind us, and we finally pulled up to the condominium. But the lake was nowhere to be seen. (Perhaps they meant to put "lake–back condo" in the advertisement.) We got settled and went to look out the back for our postcard–worthy view. Nothing but trees did our eyes behold. After hiking down a trail and looking carefully between some trees we saw the slightest glimpse of what seemed to be a puddle of water.

[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! Psalm 27:13

Besides being disappointed by the false advertisement, none of us were too upset about our accommodations because that’s not what we went for. We were content just being together. A lake was not necessary.

I get distracted by false advertisements way too often. I start to believe that if I can get to this or that point, I will be set for life. David, however, had it right in Psalms. He believed he would see the Lord’s goodness and that was enough. Seeking after things that don’t bring lasting fulfillment leaves us feeling empty. But when we desperately seek the Lord above all else we will see that His goodness remains.

January 13

Matthew 7

How do we use this?

My world’s greatest homemaker mother had become very familiar with how to use our washer and dryer. But when they are used nearly every day for many years, they eventually need to be replaced. The day came that these machines of ours could no longer do their duties properly, and my parents ordered new ones to be installed. But something went wrong, and we ended up without either for a few days. The laundry piled up, so Mom asked if I would go with her to the laundromat after church.

We both had on pink high heels and Sunday dresses. Now this was my first time to ever step foot in such a facility, and Mom hadn’t been to one in years. We noticed the women behind the counter glaring at us as we fiddled with the machine. After struggling for what seemed like hours, we finally walked up to the counter, smiled, and politely asked how to use the washer. A few seconds passed and the cashier said, Turn the knob.

Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves.

Matthew 7:1

Those women couldn’t stand us from the second we walked in. They clearly assumed we were stuck-up snobs. To be the person receiving judgment is a horrible feeling. But I would be lying if I said I was not one to pass judgment on many occasions.

Having a critical attitude toward people could not be further from how I am to act as a follower of Christ. It displays hypocrisy, and nobody wants to be identified as a hypocrite. Awareness of our attitude is vital to our witness.

January 14

1 Corinthians 15

What happened?

The smoky eye is a difficult effect to master. During my sophomore year in high school, I was trying out some new make-up and thought it would be an excellent idea to switch up the way I did my eyes. After flipping through magazines displaying the latest celebrity trends and reading step by step instructions, I was ready to give it a go. Upon completion of my makeover, I looked in the mirror and was confident that I had duplicated the look with my darker shadows and liners.

I couldn’t get to school quickly enough. The girl who barely wore mascara was now a new mysterious woman. I was surprised that not one of my classmates complimented me all morning. Lunch-time rolled around, and one of my friends sat down and gasped "WHAT HAPPENED to you?" I smiled and asked if he liked the look. He breathed a sigh of relief and said that he thought somebody had socked me in the eyes!

The sun is glorious in one way, the moon is glorious in another way, and the stars are glorious in their own [distinctive] way; for one star differs from and surpasses another in its beauty and brilliance.

1 Corinthians 15:41

Maybe you have never had a moment like this. But I think most people can relate to wanting something that perhaps just isn’t meant for us: looks, brains, or a career. Whatever your longings are, dreaming about what we don’t have comes down to our lack of satisfaction. 1 Corinthians 15:41 speaks of the distinctive glory found in the sky. If God created every star to differ, I am 101% sure He created that for humanity as well. When I think of the detail of creation, it leaves me speechless .I feel ridiculous for wanting to switch up who He created me to be. We should glory in the fact that He designed us for specific purposes.

January 15

Psalm 141

Bubbles

During a long, hot summer day before my junior year in high school, my friend, Nick, and I were swimming at Meme’s. We began to recall a scene from The Little Rascals where Alfalfa partakes of a swig of liquid soap, and when he opens his mouth to sing, bubbles fly out with every note. Oh yes, you are about to read what happens when there is not a director or film crew involved in this activity.

I rummaged around in Meme’s kitchen and hit the mother lode. I walked back outside with dishwashing liquid in hand. Nick and I squeezed out a capful and drank up. Within a millisecond we were both gagging and chugging pool water. Nothing could stop the burning in our throats. After an agonizing hour or so, I realized that was the dumbest thing I had ever done. Not even one bubble.

Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3

Psalm 141 teaches about the importance of what comes out of our mouths. The consequences that came from not guarding my mouth hurt so badly. I don’t feel that pain anymore. But when I think of some things people have said to me in the past, the pain is as real as the day it happened. O Lord, watch my lips. Help me not to snap when upset. Help me not to utter profane things while joking. Eliminate from my speech anything that does not bring You glory.

January 16

Psalm 111

Sunshine

My Sweet Sixteen came with many blessings. A car was not one of them. My family simply could not afford a car, and I had no choice but to be okay with that.

A year passed, and Nick had been told he was going to be getting a new car. My parents negotiated with him, and they came to some brilliant surprise arrangement for me. On my seventeenth birthday my mom had her close friend, Sherri, make a cake that was the exact replica of Nick’s vehicle. I was in utter shock as I unwrapped gas cards, air fresheners, and accessories to beautify his very old—but my very own— and drivable car. Now all I had to do was wait a split second until he got his new ride.

Five months’ worth of split seconds passed, and for one reason after another, I had not been able to attach my bejeweled license plate cover to my birthday present to signify that it was now mine. But on July 4, 2007, my Nana called me and told me to go online and choose a car. In every picture taken that day, I look like I belong in an insane asylum because I am smiling so big next to the car I named Sunshine.

He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious, merciful, and full of loving compassion. Psalm 111:4

Meme always says, Give God time and watch Him work. No kidding! That car was the biggest material blessing I have ever been given, and I will be eternally grateful to Nana.

Psalm 111 is all about God’s provision, which is my favorite of His attributes. When we remember what He has done in the past, we can look to the future full of hope. And guess what? He does not change (Malachi 3:6). He has provided, and He will do it again. Verse 5 reminds us that we must reverently and worshipfully fear Him. We can’t just live our lives however we want and expect blessings. If we make it our primary purpose to live for Him alone, His loving compassion will be bestowed in ways that utterly shock us!

January 17

Matthew 7

One–way street

The day after I got Sunshine, my friend, Courtney, and I were pulling out of a gas station. Somehow a curb appeared out of nowhere, and I jumped it. I began driving the wrong direction down a one-way street. As oncoming traffic headed our way, I put it in reverse and gunned it (don’t ask why!)That sent us jumping the same curb once more, this time while moving backwards. Did I mention I failed my driving test the first time?

Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.

Matthew 7:13

If I had been paying attention, I would have seen that the way I was about to turn led directly into destructive