I saw something odd in the bakery the other day. The cookies were organizing a protest, saying they deserved the same rights as the cakes. Even though a crisp or chewy cookie could never be mistaken for the moist, icing-covered confections, it still wasn’t fair.

Cakes are used for celebrations of all kinds, enjoy the prime location in the display cases, and in general gain more respect than the cookies. The cookies said they are just as valid and desirable, but it bothered them that they did not benefit from the same clout and regard as do the cakes. After all, who orders cookies for an anniversary celebration, a graduation or a retirement ceremony?

The owner of the bakery finally gave in and let the cookies call themselves “cakes” in order to give them the same rights and privileges assigned to cakes. Unfortunately, a cookie is not a cake, no matter what you call it. Now, when a customer walks through the door and asks for a “cake,” the baker must say, “Can you expound on that?” The word “cake” has lost its meaning.

I hope the same doesn’t happen to marriage as God has defined it.

Cindy Boose

Columbia