Parents, don’t worry. Growing up in my home one of the ways my parents expressed love to people was through food. My mother could cook anything… I used to open the pantry doors and didn’t see much, but when she opened them, she saw endless possibilities. She never seemed to worry because she could take a little of this and a little of that… whatever was in the kitchen and make delightful meals. My dad could do the same thing outdoors. He could smoke, grill, and deep fry anything found in the freezer. Anita’s family also likes to gather around the table to enjoy good meals, good conversation and lots of love. Together, we like to try to do this for our family and friends too. When our kids were young, we tried to always have a hot breakfast for them before school and on weekends, to give their brains fuel for learning and let them know we care about them. By the time my kids were teens, they began to learn how to cook breakfast for their friends too. Our kitchen became known as the IHOW (International House of Waffles) with the neighborhood kids and friends who would come over for homemade waffles (made in a waffle maker given to us by Anita’s grandmother when we were first married) with fruit, chocolate, syrup, juice, milk and whatever else makes a weekend breakfast taste good. Anita always had some waffle mix and fixin's on hand. Occasionally, but not often, were “kitchen incidents” where something goes wrong. Like when one of the kids, still learning to cook, put a metal pan of chili into the microwave! Don’t try it! It can ruin a microwave, a pan, a floor - when the pan is dropped, and the food inside. Another kitchen incident involved all my girls. We had an overused toaster oven (think 6 in the kitchen) and my oldest was toasting some bread, which started a flame inside the oven… my oldest and youngest daughters ran around the kitchen screaming “fire, Fire, FIRE!” My middle daughter, who happened to be walking by, simply, unplugged the toaster, opened the oven door, blew on the small flame like blowing out a candle and kept walking. The other two just looked at each other, and we all began laughing. Now, all my kids also show their love and care by preparing good food for people, with many fewer kitchen incidences… (My oldest, even has a plant-based cooking show, an upcoming cookbook, and a “plant based playbook” to help people get started with healthy meal prep.)
God loves us all so much and shows that love when He provides for us in so many ways. When Jesus was talking to His disciples, He told them to make a priority of doing what is right (like loving God and people) and don’t make the food or other essentials the top concern, and God will provide. He says, “So don't worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you." Matthew 6:31-33 (CSBBible) One of the ways we can love each other well is providing good food for the people we love, thanking God for it and enjoying it together. During this socially distant time, we may have to get creative with how we do this, but the important part is to keep seeking to love God and the people around us. I’m confident, He will give us ways to do this. Kudos to those churches and kitchens who help provide for those who may not have much during this difficult time.
Hang in there people! God is with us! I’m praying for you all!
