food

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Shifting my perspective

I can’t imagine receiving manna from heaven and complaining.

Lord, we’ve been eating manna FOREVER! Can we have some lunch meat, please? And send down a jar of mayo while you’re at it…this bread is so dry! 

Okay, so I’m paraphrasing the children of Israel, but you see the point. 

My thoughts go to impoverished countries where they literally eat the same thing every day and are thankful. Variety is not important to them; having food at all, no matter if it is the same thing, is what’s important.

A little bit of perspective goes a long way in our consumerist society.

Last night I ate a dinner that was entirely provided–minus the butter and onions–by friends who blessed me with fresh eggs, cheese, bread, and herbs.

Wow. Talk about being spoiled…

Each bite was a sweet reminder that God’s given me some great friends and friends who are generous at that.

It also reminded me of our brothers and sisters around the world who don’t have access to food as readily as I do. Some of those brothers and sisters live in my backyard.

They are the chronically homeless.

They are the families who live paycheck to paycheck.

They are recovering drug addicts.

They are down on their luck war veterans.

They are the disabled who just need some help.

I am hanging out with my neighbors each Thursday and my perspective changes as I see what true struggle looks like.

My friend, you and I are blessed.

And it’s not about having all the coolest toys or the latest and greatest clothes. It’s not even about making the most money. 

My perspective on what it means to be blessed is changing.

 

 

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The Benefits of Slowing Down

There’s something magical about an evening at home. I like to putter around the house and put things away just so. 

Knowing that I have no time frame makes everything more enjoyable.  

I don’t even take my coffee to go much (only when absolutely necessary).

Coffee is a leisurely drink, one to be enjoyed slowly and to be savored with every sip. 

If I can’t sit down and eat my meal in peace, I’d rather wait. Eating in a hurry makes me sick. 

Of course, there are times when slowing down is not possible. I’m not delusional or rebellious when things must be hurried along. 

It’s just that life is hard to enjoy at lightening speed…

Why does everything have to move so fast?

As I putter around my little place, it’s nice to stand back and simply thank God for my blessings. 

  • My fridge is full. 
  • My bed is cozy. 
  • I have running water and that includes hot water, too. 

I can’t stop adding my blessings up! (But I will or else this will be a never ending post.)

Slow down. 

Walk around your house and property.

 Thank God for His abundant provision. 

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Gathering around the table

Happy Easter!

Did you have fun celebrating with your family and friends?

I know that I did!

A group of Rhema students and alumni–all of us from other states–gathered this afternoon to eat hot dogs and enjoy each other’s company.

After lunch, we played Apples to Apples and talked about Jesus.

Considering that Jesus ate breakfast with the disciples after His resurrection, I think He’s pleased when we gather together to celebrate.

There’s something powerful about fellowshipping around the dinner table because food is a connecting point.

Transplant life (a term my friend Carli coined) is a great way to create a habit of hospitality because you know what it’s like to be alone in a new town.

Make a menu, get everyone to chip in, and pick a location. This is all you need to host a party! It’s not as hard as you think.

Who doesn’t love to eat?

Of course, I missed my family and hiding eggs for my cousins, but I am glad that my friend Sheri invited me to the get together.

My first Easter in Tulsa was awesome!

I am so thankful for the hospitality of my Rhema friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Eating with gratitude

Today I ate a grape salad.

It’s not that I wanted a grape salad or even that I particularly care for grape salad….

A new friend wanted me to try something she really enjoyed.

I’m not a super picky eater. The list of foods I don’t like is very small.

I consider this a gift because being weird about food, especially in America, is quite common.

We can be as picky as we want. There’s food everywhere.

Don’t like KFC?

Try Popeye’s or Church’s or Bojangles.

thanksDon’t like McDonald’s?

Try Burger King or Rally’s or Five Guys or Jacks or Wendy’s.

We have so much food that we throw a lot of it away.

You can eat as healthy or unhealthy as you like too.

So many choices and yet there’s a high level of ungratefulness.

This is what bothers me.

People die of hunger every day.

There’s no need for that.

In America, eliminating wastefulness would solve the hunger problem.

Around the globe, we can teach people how to grow crops more effectively.

The answers are all around us!

Countless ministries and nonprofit groups are leading the way. All it takes is a little bit of creativity and a whole heap of generosity.

It’s time to quit being so ungrateful.

Many of us have never known the pangs of hunger.

Suck it up, okay?

Eat a grape salad every once in a while–even if you don’t care for it.

Because the person sharing it with you has a lot less than you do….

*Disclaimer: Do not eat foods you’re allergic to just to be nice. Doing so doesn’t make you nice, it makes you stupid.*