Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Dear God,

You have shown me that earth and heaven meet every day. When I least expect it, I feel the smile of eternity.

Today I cooked all day: Raspberry cream pie, Romaine lettuce with lime and avocado viniagrette, carrots with fresh ginger and coriander seeds, asparagus with dill sauce, parrano cheese thyme rolls, pepper-crusted filet mignon with horseradish cream sauce, Polish mistakes, retreat pickles, Gorgonzola dip with pears, apples and crackers with spiced ice tea. As I cooked I remembered learning to cook with my grandmother. What a great farm cook she was. Her food always made with love was the best I ever tasted. Although gone now for nearly 20 years, I was at her side. I reflected upon her smile, her generous ways and her love of Christ.

When I prepare a meal for others, I follow in the footsteps of Grandma Hughes. Out of her grace-filled life, she offered gifts of blessing to those around her not because she was obliged but because she loved. Her cooking was her gift to those around her.

Throughout the day as I labored in the kitchen, the same line from Sunday's music festival kept coming to me: "Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed..." Somehow, someway your love connected food and song. I smiled and sang recalling once again your divine blessing.

Gracious God,
Father and Mother of All,
my heart
is full
of gratitude
and joy.
Your love stretches
around the world
even into
my kitchen
and I find myself
singing your praise.

Love, Andrea