What's for Dinner?

It was that time of day again. My young men were poking around in my guarded space. One mindlessly opened and shut the tall white door for the third time. One peered inside the often warmed chamber, only to find a cold empty box. Both were in search of comforting aromas. Their gaze scanned the room as desperate men on the hunt. With hopeful hearts of some goodness hiding behind cupboard doors, they continued a frantic search. Finally, in frustration, they paused and turned, looking for someone to help. Loud calls of "Mom, what's for dinner?" traveled through the walls of our home.

Yes, I am that old-fashioned gal who loves her homemade comfort foods. I know how to have buttery bread, grand pies, and tall cakes lined up on her kitchen counter.

However, on this particular night, with the smell of deliciousness lacking in our old farm kitchen, the boys desperately explained how nourishment was not just a want but a necessity. My humans were 'starving.' Therefore, food must be produced, and hungry stomachs had to be filled. With questioning eyes, they only had one mission and a desperate request: "Was there any hope of a magical sumptuousness for tonight's feeding?"

As I saw the intense desire for physical food within my boys, it occurred to me. What if I searched for my spiritual food with the same aggression? What if I open every available door for Godly nourishment? What if I continually place myself before a spiritually mature loved one who knew how to prepare a sumptuous feast?

The truth is I need a steady diet of physical and spiritual food. Matthew 5:6 gives a promise for nourishment in one's soul. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." I love that our Lord longs to lavish on you and me spiritually. "The Lord of host will prepare a lavish banquet for all people." (John 6:35)

After years of struggling to feed myself with His goodness, let me give you a few helpful hints.

1. Plan for it. Just like it is much easier to have dinner with a little early planning, such as laying out the frozen chicken and finding the ingredients ahead of time; it helps me to plan ahead in my Spiritual feeding.  If I locate my Bible, prayer journal, and pens and have the coffee ready to brew ahead of time, it is much easier for me to move into time with the Lord. When I have to run all over the house in search of my Bible or glasses, I often get sidetracked before I realize the morning is gone with no time for quiet moments of refreshment.

2.  Just like my family meets for dinner at a predetermined time, it helps me to schedule a set time to meditate. I meet with the Lord before the house gets busy. But depending on your stage of life, maybe the baby's nap time is best for you. Or if you are a night owl, try evenings. With a routine appointment, it is easier to enjoy the invitation to the buffet.

3. As I want to pause and linger around the dinner table to enjoy the experience fully, I need to wait to linger on His Word until it is satisfyingly full. I can quickly move on to the next thing before taking a moment to bask in His goodness. Both physically and spiritually, the meal should be savored with every bite.

Come to the feast, my friend. Enjoy! There is plenty to go around.

Blessings!