Dinner Time
I’m hungry.
In the first of this series of columns about Lent (click here to read it), I shared that I planned to observe the season with prayer, Bible and devotional readings, and by fasting from morning to evening one day each week. I added that I was pretty shaky about the likelihood of success with fasting.
But here I am, on week six of this practice.
That’s not me. That’s all God.
I was raised by a Southern lady who showed love through cooking. Too much was not enough. A dollop of whipped cream would never do; not an inch of pie or cake could show. Butter? I’m surprised I didn’t slide out of my bed at night. And I can still summon the flavor of her fried chicken.
Like Mama, I enjoy preparing and sharing food. Some of our sweetest family memories have been made at the dinner table.
So, while regular fasting is not a singular achievement, it is a pretty big deal for me.
Thank You, Jesus.
I know that You are responsible for every breath, but this has been different. I breathe without thinking, but I am certain that only Your strength stopped me from answering every rumble from my belly.
Further, each thought of food has reminded me of why I’m doing this. I want to know You better. I long for You to break down any walls I have built between us. I seek to set aside any false notions of who I am and find my true self in You.
Nothing less than Your Presence can truly satisfy me.
Welcome, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I have a place at the table for You.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
Psalm 107: 8-9 (ESV)
And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35 (NKJV)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)
La Sainte-Chapelle, Paris, France
