Making A Meal

A while back I posted a blurb about relishing the idea that Jesus cooked breakfast for his disciples. I just loved that a simple pleasure was shared between God's Son and the disciples.

Recently, I made a meal for my family and ended up sharing it with two others unexpectedly. I was more than happy to share it, in fact, I was a little nervous to share it because it was a new recipe. Poor guinea pigs!

Funny how I sit here with tears rolling down my cheeks thinking about this shared meal, maybe I am nearing my time of the month, but tears over a meal goes deeper for me in this circumstance. I have an inkling it is God teaching me more about who He is, and I just can't help but cry at the softening process of my heart. (Glad I wasn't crying about burning the food, HA!)

The meal wasn't amazing, and I didn't even sit down to eat with those I shared. So why am I a  blubbering mess over this insignificant meal? Because I was able to understand a little more of what God wanted me to do for that day. The article, Perfecting Holiness by Ken Brown helped confirm the reason for this particular lesson with the Lord.

This simple meal wasn't world saving, it wasn't even something others will necessarily take notice of. It was a task meant to help me take on more Christlikeness, more opportunity for obedience which leads to the glorification of God.

This meal ended up being a lesson in compassion and kindness; His compassion and kindness. I may not know what another is going through but God does. I don't and still don't know what my two guests have gone through or are currently going through and maybe everything is just fine BUT that is all part of the lesson.  I don't need to know the why's, the reasons, the details, I just need to be obedient to what He tells me to do.

Sharing this simple meal helped me glimpse into the compassionate nature of God towards these two fellows. He loves them very much.

There may be a lot to this story that can't be understood by those that read it, but I felt compelled to write it down anyway.

This time, I am relishing the meal not for it's tasty contents but for the amazing glimpse into God's Nature and His overwhelming Compassion for people.

Just Fishin'



Lake Bastrop North Shore

Trace Adkins

Just Fishin'

Passion Flower

Ecclesiastes 3
Photo By Chandra Brown

Sometimes a rare, exotic beauty hidden from view pops out at you when you least expect it. This texturally complex specimen is growing in a neighbors front yard here in Texas. When I think of a passion flower, I think of far off, ethereal lands, not Texas.

I was admiring the delicate features when my neighbor plucked the flower off the vine and handed it to me. She said, "The buds only bloom for a day, so enjoy it while you can."

I never thought a fleeting blossom could teach me something about relationships but this small, hidden wonder along with my neighbors advice helped me come to a realization. When life becomes monotonous, boring or rigid and an opportunity to revitalize arises, even if it isn't one you think is your cup of tea, snatch up the opportunity! Killing the passion because you're not used to the change of scenery only leads to a wilted existence. You might be missing out on something beautiful!