James’ wonderfully inclusive rainbow cookies

James loves to bake; whether it’s cup cakes, muffins, tray bakes, or cookies, he’s up for some messy, sticky, gooey, tasty fun. We often make Betty Crocker recipes, and a favourite is the Rainbow Cookie Mix.

As we were making these today, I noticed something for the first time about the way that James added the colourful rainbow chocolate buttons on top of the pressed out cookie shapes… it got me thinking about how wonderfully inclusive he was being…

James is always careful as he does this part of making the cookies; each chocolate button is added with thought and focus.

Here’s four things I noticed:



1. James doesn’t mind what colour they are, he adds them all equally, but he does like to make sure there is a diversity of colours.

2. James also doesn’t mind if some of the chocolate buttons are chipped or broken, they all get added with equal love and care.

3. All of the chocolate buttons are used, none are excluded or left out.

4. And when the cookies are finished, they look wonderful because of the inclusive approach that James has taken.

Kind of makes you think about what James is teaching us about life doesn’t it?

James has almost no spoken communication, but he finds ways to share with us what he wants to say. What has he said to you today through the way he adds colourful rainbow chocolate buttons to his cookies? Please add your response to James in the comments section below.

To me he has said that everyone is important and should be included; that diversity is wonderful and to be celebrated; that whatever differences people have, when we come together the world is a better place for it.

I think that the world needs to hear James’ message at the moment, and to take a moment to enjoy a rainbow cookie together too. What about you?

Mark Arnold, Director of Additional Needs Ministry at Urban Saints. Arnold blogs at The Additional Needs Blogfather. This article was re-published with permission.