Meals, Menus and Meaning

I thought I had a pan that was in between these two sizes? I mused aloud as I was preparing dinner for a friend and me. Then I laughed at the fact that I don't know what sizes of pots and pans that I own and that this is a clear sign of my frequency of cooking. Don't get me wrong. I'm all about home cooked meals. I just prefer to go to other peoples' homes to eat them. I think it's partly the singleness syndrome of eating meals over the sink at times.

To my culinary credit, I have had 3 different occasions this week of having friends into my home to eat at my table. That's my spontaneous strategy; once in many moons, I just bust out and do the hospitality thing all at once. I must add also that these occasions have been sweet and refreshing for me in the midst of prep planning and panic. Plus, it is an added perk that my place has been picked up and in order and my new kitchen table and place mats have been broken in over crumbs, kindred conversation and prayers.

On the cooking theme, we had an event this week with my job called "Recipe for Success" that involved enhancing cooking skills and spiritual food for thought. Chef Clive Berkman spoke about finding balance and making meals a place to develop relationship because that is what we were created for. Clive shared his story of encountering wounds through changes in life. He insightfully shared how our responses to those changes cause our hearts to be affected and we live out of those experiences even though we may not be aware of how they are affecting us or our need to forgive people.

At one point, Clive mentioned that one way he dealt with his disappointments and abandonment through relationships was to put his all in to the one thing he could control, his work. Then his famous restaurant burned down and it was another blow. I won't spoil the rest of the story but instead let you soak it in by reading his book, Empty Bottle Moments. You can also take a peak at his website, http://www.cookingwithclive.com/, for recipes and other such culinary stuff. The samples of his recipes that we consumed were quite tasty.

It was a touching story because as my friend mentioned, it's not everyday when a man expresses what goes on inside him and his search for wholeness and peace. I am challenged to think about how I have dealt with the disappointments and abandonment in my life and to consider what I might try to control to avoid more pain. Who knows? Maybe I will also get out those pots and pans sooner rather than later and whip up another creation.

Contentment: To Be or Not To Be

Today I had a rare moment when I thanked God after fueling up at the pump that I had gas in my car, clothes on my back (a new sassy outfit at that) and food in my refrigerator. I say it's rare because I'm usually talking to God about how I'd like things to be a wee bit or a way bit different. The topic of contentment recently popped up on my radar screen as I was asking women what topic they may want to study in the future. I have inclinations to write another bible study. There is no action at this point; just gathering thoughts.

When a couple of women mentioned contentment, I thought, "All of our longings will be filled when we are in Jesus' presence so until then we will never be completely satisfied. That's all I have to say about that." I also pondered that I don't live contentment very well. Who does? Yeah, the apostle Paul talked about learning the secret of contentment at the end of Philippians. But that's the guy who wrote half of the New Testament.

I do go back to that word "learned". This tells me that it's a process and might I add, a life long one at that. It seems like there's a continual learning curve. I want. I ask the Lord. I may or may not receive. I encounter unexpected twists and turns in my story. I have to constantly give up my right to experience life on my terms or at least the terms I think will satisfy my heart. There's the lie.

It's a big, fat hairy lie that will suck us up every time. I think I can find a place of satisfaction IF certain circumstances go a specific way. My heart requires that something be this way or that in order for it to be okay. That leads me back to the idea that there is a secret to contentment. It does NOT mean we have to give up desiring or wanting things to be different or better or more just. I do believe God's Himself is not just content to let things go on as they are. Perhaps the secret is knowing that my heart can be okay and full of life no matter what is or isn't going on in my life.

Depending on how things shape up, a change in my circumstances may bring relief, joy, encouragement (and I welcome those any day in Jesus' name) or to be honest, the opposite of tension, sadness or discouragement. My heart does not have to be tossed and turned by the allusion that it's satisfaction will be fulfilled in a change of circumstances. I have the Person of Jesus living in my heart who fills me up, strengthens me and makes me able to overcome. I am able to face life through Him and be changed as I encounter Him on a daily basis and in the end, I remind myself that this reality is all I need.