Air, Water, and Sugar!

This is campfire season! September 22nd was the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of fall. It is also the season of Smore’s! This gram cracker sandwich, made with a Hershey’s chocolate bar and marshmallow, is a favorite anytime of the year! Did you know that Americans consume 90 million pounds of marshmallows annually? That may seem to be a staggering statistic for many, but  I’m not surprised! Some of us think that marshmallows make everything  taste just a little bit better. It’s amazing that something made so simply from air, water, and sugar could be so delicious!

A Simple Sugary Sandwich!

I like any flavored Jello with mini marshmallows added. In the candy category I’ll eat: Toasted Coconut Covered Marshmallows, Moon Pies, Circus Peanuts, Hostess Snoball cakes, Fluff in homemade fudge, an occasional Peeps at holiday times, and won’t pass up Chocolate covered marshmallow Santas and Easter bunnies! I haven’t tried plant-based Dandies (Kosher, Vegan), but I’m game! However, my all-time favorite candy with marshmallows (and I don’t get them often anymore!) is the Mallo Cup! 😊

I grew up with many words mispronounced or truncated in spelling: punkin for pumpkin, giblet as the “g” sound in gravy ( rather than ji-bluhts), battree for battery, and par for power. So, imagine my surprise to note that the word "marshmallow" is not spelled "marshmellow!" In reading around the subject, I learned that the correct spelling is derived from the name of the plant used to make the confection.

Since the time of the ancient Egyptians, the herbaceous perennial marshmallow plant, Althaea officinalis, has been  used to make a soft, sweet candy. The name "marshmallow" comes from the plant's name, not from the sound of the word. The spelling "marshmallow" has become the accepted way to spell the name of this sugary treat. However, the proper pronunciation ends in “mellow!” I’m glad to know I got this one right!

I was also curious about the use of the word marshmallow as an expression of weakness. Here was a sample sentence reflecting that use: “The situation required strength, but I was nothing more than a marshmallow!” This reminded me of a Bible word that has been misinterpreted to mean someone who is weak. The word “meek” that Jesus used in the Beatitudes has been much aligned!

Rather than weakness, meekness is “strength under control” like the strength of a mighty stallion that’s bridled and under the control of the rider! Moses was regarded as meek above all men on earth (Numbers 12:3) and Jesus described Himself as meek and gentle! (Matthew 11:29). These two are examples in biblical history of strength, self-control, and humility! The Bible makes this promise: “What blessing comes to you when gentleness lives in you! For you will inherit the earth!” (Matthew 5:5, The Passion Translation).

Go easy on the many tempting sugary confections of this season! But let’s completely lean into the gentle, humble, and Christlike lifestyle that God blesses!

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,

active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com 
© 2018-2024. All rights reserved. Serve by Design. mjkministries.com

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