Life’s Ingredients (08/27/2024)

Recently, while facilitating a staff retreat for two parishes, I mentioned to the clergy as we stood and visited that I approach life the same way I was taught to cook. I explained that the woman who taught me to cook, Ethel Scott, worked for our family. When I told her I wanted to learn to cook, she took me to the kitchen, opened the frig and looked around inside. Then she took me to the pantry cupboards, and we looked around. Then she pulled out a few items from the pantry. Returned to the fridge and pulled out a couple items. And she announced to me, “First we see what we have, then we figure out what we can do with what we have.” I still cook that way. Truth is, I still live that way most of the time.

Life gives us a host of ingredients and possibilities. What will we make of them?

I have added something to my regimen. I ask for guidance from the Spirit. I have found over time that I have the potential to choose poorly. And so, at the outset of each day, I pray for guidance as I take in the ingredients before me and seek to make sense and purpose of what is before me. Most of the time, it works well. Occasionally, I think my “cravings” get in the way of my “good sense.” I try to acknowledge that and make a note of it for the future.

I love learning the stories of others. I find their stories help me as I write my own. I am amazed at what individuals can overcome. I am also amazed at what individuals can accomplish with little. I’ve found that in most cases, the distinguishing characteristic of those individuals is faith. They believe in possibilities. Jesus reminded us, “With God, all things are possible.”  And a second, equally important trait I have found in most is a loving soul. They love family, they love the LORD, they love neighbors. Loving kindness, the ability to see the other and seek the well-being of another somehow factors into being able to see ourselves more honestly.

This morning, I have already been to the fridge and the cupboard. I know what we’re having for supper. And I’ve been to the LORD in prayer, naming all that I see on my horizon and seeking guidance in stirring it all together in such a way that I bring glory to the LORD and the LORD’s love into the lives of others.

As we journey through this life in hope of life in abundance with our LORD when we make it home, let us take time to look around us, taking note of the ingredients the LORD has spread in our path. Let us seek the LORD’s guidance in making sense of it all and of our lives given to us with loving purpose.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.