I relate to a scene in the movie, Parental Guidance (2012) with Billy Crystal and Bette Midler. It’s when the granddaughter, Harper, tastes sugar for the first time! She becomes aware of the sugary goodness and what her parents have been keeping from her. She instantly loses control, indulging in the sweet sugary substance!

I remember as a child, walking across the railroad tracks to Taylor’s grocery to purchase a can of condensed milk with my allowance. I savored every spoonful straight out of the can. But that’s not all! My Tony the Tiger frosted flakes just never seemed sugary enough. So, I dowsed my already sugary breakfast cereal with more of those “sweet-tasting” granules.

My “sugar–holic” state continued as I got older. Devouring six “hot” Krispy Kreme donuts in one sitting was not uncommon. I would greedily consume the Pizza Hut family size pack of cinnamon sticks for dessert without regret of sharing. Okay, maybe I shared a couple. Many times, I sacrificed a good wholesome breakfast for a slice of pie. Sweets were (are) my passion!

But, when my body decided it could no longer handle sugar-over-load and discomfort settled in, I knew something would have to change. Yet, I had formed some bad habits. And changing behavioral patterns would definitely be tough! So, I chose the easy way-out telling God if I can’t have sugar He may as well take me home to Heaven, which eventually I had to admit was not exactly a smart thing to do. When I think back to the times, I told the Lord, “Take me home” because I wasn’t interested in learning the lesson He had mapped out for me, I cringe. He really has been patient with my self-gratifying nature. Oh, how it must grieve the Spirit of God for me to choose the enjoyment of here and now over building something I could enjoy for all eternity!

Today, my body can only tolerate sugar in moderation so I no longer consume condensed milk out of the can, and have left Frosted Flakes behind, and very rarely have a Krispy Kreme doughnut.  And through all the years of choosing second best, my gracious heavenly Father never stopped pursuing me so I could experience THE BEST: A relationship with Him that is sweeter than any sweets. He truly is better than condensed milk!

What is your condensed milk story?