This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us, for this is our lot. – Ecclesiastes 5:18 (NRSVUE)
I recently bought the book Ordinary Blessings by Meta Herrick Carlson, a poet and ELCA pastor in Minnesota. The book is full of poems and prayers for the everyday moments of life. They are wonderful reminders of God with us at all moments of our life, not just the dramatic times or set aside holy moments. You can find the book at: https://www.metaherrickcarlson.com/blog/ordinary-blessings
As we move into the summer, I will be sharing in these devotions some snippets from the book as a reminder to look for God in the everyday moments. This week, the everyday life reminder of God with us is in cooking a meal. She writes:
It is an act of holy resistance each time
you chose ingredients, considering
where they came from and
how they found you,
of all the chefs in all the world!
…
You will soon dine with [those gathered around the meal],
connected by the good mystery of dinner.
When we had the showing of the movie Common Ground last month, sponsored by the our Green Team and DEI-A team, it sparked conversations about where our food comes from. There were discussions about farmers’ markets and community supported agriculture (CSA) opportunities. Food and spirituality have always been connected. Jesus did much of his teaching over meals. Most religions have something to say about fasting and diet. While Protestants are clear that we are free from dietary restrictions in terms of seeing fasting or diet as a way to get closer to God, the reminder from Pastor Carlson is that in meals God does draw close to us. In our freedom, we are free to choose food that is produced in ways that are better for the earth and better for us. We are free to wonder at the goodness that is produced by the earth. We are freed to recognize God in work sitting with us at the table as we eat, creating community and appreciating the quality ingredients and the time spent preparing the food. Dinner is an ordinary moment, but also an invitation into the goodness of God. So the next time you dice onions or chop garlic, take a moment to rejoice at the goodness of the ingredients, the mystery of how a meal brings people together, and in the God who makes all things holy.