Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking
if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.
~ Voltaire
In a few weeks Easter will be celebrated and families and friends will gather together to honor a risen King; we’ll do so around a sacred family alter: the dining room table.
What is it about holiday celebrations with family and friends or family reunions or covered dish dinners that render us expectant and eager for the next one?
Certainly enjoying the company of those we love plays an important part. Re-connecting spackles the relational chasm created by time and geography’s separation.
Tradition is key, too. Healthy traditions strengthen and bind families, bridge the gap between generations, and pass along family customs.
But if I’m being perfectly honest, I get a teensy-weensy bit (too) excited about the…
f o o d.
I feel shallow admitting that, but maybe, just maybe, sometimes sharing a meal–or even a single dish–is not just Biblical but deeply spiritual.
Several scriptures come to mind about hospitality ~
Some people are naturally hospitable, easily welcoming others into heart and home. But not falling into that category doesn’t release us from God’s imperative to “be hospitable.” I think for those there is extra blessing in doing what doesn’t come easily, especially when the only motive is obedience and to glorify God.
Food and community were threaded together throughout Jesus’ life–a wedding banquet, meals with friends or those others rejected, the Jewish feasts…common meals or celebration, spending time in the company of those He loved.
Two powerful kindnesses extended to my family came through the vehicle of “meal ministry” when I needed help but would never have asked for it–
- Following the birth of each of my children
- After the death of my father
Friends didn’t ask me how they could help, they anticipated my need, scheduled meals and brought them to us.
Never has food tasted so good, a magnificent gift beautifully ribboned and wrapped in love, service and compassion.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…. (1 Peter 4:10)
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
God’s Word astonishes me when I see it living and breathing in bodies of people I know. When they bring me dinner, they’re practically
using their gifts…
serving one another…
faithfully stewarding the grace extended to them
loving in deed!
Some of my favorite recipes have been passed along from family or friends who’ve hosted us or brought us a meal. Every time—every time—I cook that recipe, with fondness and affection I think of the one who shared it (in my best moments I remember to pray for them).
I thought it would be FUN to end this post by hosting an (in)courage virtual covered dish dinner!
Do you have a favorite recipe you initially prepared because someone else cooked that recipe for you? Have you written about it or posted pictures on your blog or Flickr? Please link it below–casserole, side, dessert, whatever! If you don’t have a blog feel free to share your recipe in comments. And remember, (in)courage community takes place when we visit one another, so be generous in commenting to others before and after your link!
By Robin Dance, who blogs at PENSIEVE about all things magically delicious (but not necessarily food).
What an awesome idea, Robin! And, boy, do I have recipes to share! Every Friday on my blog I give a new family favorite, but I’ll link to this one because it’s special. See, my dear friend and neighbor, Amy, brings a meal whenever we’ve been on a long trip (I do the same for her). We also stock each other’s fridge with basics like eggs, milk, and bread for the next morning. A few years ago my family returned home from a missions trip to Switzerland and Amy was there with this amazing roast chicken, and it was the greatest blessing to my tired and hungry family. So easy and so delicious!
http://www.shellywildman.net/2010/10/fabulous-friday-food-amys-roast-chicken.html
Shelly,
What a WONDERFUL act of friendship! What a GREAT idea to serve others! It makes me wanna find a friend and begin this tradition :). Thank you for sharing that AND this yummy sounding recipe! You’re a good one, ya know? 😉 🙂 xo
I love this tradition too! We’re moving to the city at the end of the summer and I’m so excited to make friends with neighbors so that I can serve them in this way!
Oh sweet friend – you know I believe in ministry as food, for sure! 🙂 Nothing more special than sharing life around the table.
Jen,
Yes ma’am and it always makes me happy to find those who are intentional in this as ministry to family and friends. It’s the kind of thing that has ripple effect :).
Jesus said ‘ feed my sheep’ (john 21:17). I am using the vinyl letters and putting it in my kitchen.
Loved this!
Margie,
What a FUN way to incorporate scripture into your home; it makes such a statement AND the play on words is sure to coax more than a smile or two. 🙂
So many good ideas on this post… I love this… I might just steal it for my kitchen!
Jenny, why am I looking for a Facebook “Like” button for your comment? 🙂
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Sorry I entered two linkies!! I couldn’t tell that the first one had posted!
No worries, Kara…I’ll try to go in and delete it (if I can 🙂 ).
Ha! Maybe that means it’s doubly delicious!!!! 🙂
Sharing a meal…providing a meal…making a meal in remembrance of someone…it’s all Holy Sweetness. Sacred.
This is by far the most touching outreach and worship for me…making meals for people, sharing time with people, preparing something someone made for me…it’s honoring. And holidays, like His Resurrection, are special opportunities to envelope others into our opened up space.
Your post was so touching. I’m so blessed today because of what you wrote!
Amyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy…your comment is lovely. Thank you :). I absolutely love how serving others becomes worship for you. That changes everything.
(I’ll be thinking about this the next time I cook or make a meal for someone else.)
xo
Robin! It’s this…it’s taking my insecurities that I’m not good enough (of a cook, of a host, of a person…), and that my house isn’t good enough, fancy enough, updated enough, or that our family is too boring or too compulsive or too perfect…and it’s choosing to invite people in anyway, and to love on them, and most of all…to be loved through them accepting me and my invitation to love on them! A circle of trusting and embracing…this is where my heart of worship is – in the muck and yuck of my heart that becomes softened and beautified through Christ alone!
You are so right on with this! It is such a blessing when your community of believers, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ serve you in such a way with cooking and food. And for the one cooking and serving the food, it is just a much a blessing! What a touch and inspiring post.
And now, I am cravin’ me some macaroni:)
Melissa…just so you know, my sister-in-law has the BEST mac & cheese dish in the world (I’m not exaggerating) and I have GOT to get that thing posted! I totally changed the way I felt about the dish!!
This is a great idea! I always love new recipes! Especially comfort food and family food!!
Me, too, April :). As I was writing this, it occurred to me to ask a bunch of Church Ladies (aka incourage readers 🙂 ) for their recipes because you KNOW they’re gonna be good!! 🙂
Woops! I posted recipe #19 but forgot to add the link to the actual recipe, haha. It’s called Breakfast Hash Brown Casserole. It’s great served by itself or as a side dish with other breakfast food on Christmas or Easter morning http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/hash-brown-casserole-with-bacon-onions-cheese-10000001120354
Jessica,
OooMyyyWord. The URL for that recipe sounds DELICIOUS! I can’t wait to start hopping around to all these recipes! Thank you!
You invite us to His table, Robin… and oh, sister! A feast here!
I love what you do… who you are.
You spur me on to love and good works and more Jesus!
*Thank you*
All’s grace,
Ann
AnnieVeeeeee :),
You alwaysALWAYS head-to-toe bless me with your encouragement. I’m grateful more than you’ll ever know, sweet one :).
I love to cook and I loved this post. I’ve really been thinking about God gifting me to be able to do something with my life that I love doing. This has just been one more confirmation that that is true.
A dear friend, Jack, had us over one night for jambalaya. I had never had it before and was leary, but it ended up being the BEST THING I HAVE EVER EATEN. We ate it with bread while listening to Bruce Springsteen’s The Seeger Sessions and even though I was in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the middle of winter, I felt like I was down on the Bayou in the middle of the summer. That’s what food can do. The night was magical and I asked for the recipe. Now every time I make it, I think of that evening.
Jack’s Jambalaya:
1 green bell pepper, diced/ 1 medium onion, diced/ 8 oz. sliced mushrooms/ 1 garlic clove, minced/ 1 celery stalk, diced/ 1- 14 oz. can crushed tomatoes/ 2 c. chicken broth/ 1/2 t. thyme/ 1/4 t. cayenne pepper/ 1/2 t. salt/ 1/4 t. black pepper/ 1/2 c. uncooked rice/ 1 lb. uncooked shrimp/ 1 lb. smoked sausage, thinly sliced into rounds
Sautee pepper, onion, mushrooms, garlic, and celery in a few teaspoons of olive oil. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, and seasonings and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, add rice and cook, covered, until rice is tender, 15-20 minutes. Add smoked sausage and shrimp a few minutes before serving and cook just until shrimp is opaque.
Jenny,
Oh, my…how thankful I am to be a part of a work being confirmed in your life!! Thank you for sharing that in your comment :).
What a special friend you have in Jack, too; I love what he did for you and it’s precious even to me how he continues to “minister” to you every time you enjoy this recipe. It’s very close to the recipe I use for Jambalaya, maybe a bit easier! I think I’ll try yours/his next time I get a hankerin’ for Bayou cookin’ 😉 :).
A couple of years ago, I had surgery about two months after moving to a new town. (I learned I needed surgery exactly one week before the move.) One of my mom’s friends came to help (she lives 2 hours away). She brought with her a gift from their Sunday School class – gift cards to restaurants. I think I didn’t need to cook for two and a half weeks – more than enough time to rest and recover and still feed my family! It was also perfect for my family because we have several different food allergies. No one had to learn a different way of cooking for us; we could choose what was best for each person. It was such a blessing – and from people I didn’t even know!
Wow, Rachel. THAT is a beautiful outworking of the hands and feet of Christ! And a wonderful way of looking at the sacredness of a meal. ALL of your restaurant meals were God-gifts :).
All the love pouring out here is terrific! I’d share a recipe, because I LOVE to cook, but I’m almost a recipe-free cook – I use the recipes for jumping off points only. But I love the love!
Elaine, honey, I wish I could do what you do. I’m a VERY recipe-driven girl and applaud those with more imagination. {{golf applause}}
🙂
I love to cook…. especially when I am at my mother-in-laws house. We do it together. We both love it when we are cooking for someone else or a special event. But I haven’t talked about it on my blog at all.
Sometimes when it is just me or my husband (who is so picky it is hard to try new stuff on him) it is best if I go visit with her and try it out up at her house.
A favorite she taught me, then I tweaked it is comfort food of ham and beans. Cut up ham and onion and cook in pot until browned. Deglaze pan with chicken broth. Add canned northern beans. I don’t have measurements or amounts because the more ham I add the more beans I add. I
Oh, Robin! Now, NOW you are speaking one of my love languages!! 🙂
Can I just speak up for a minute on behalf of my military peeps? With deployments running rampant, most folks know at least one person who is fighting the good fight on the homefront while his or her spouse is deployed. One thing that is always, always appreciated by those keepin’ the home fires burning are meals. While it isn’t always possible to have the family of a deployed service member over for dinner in your home, perhaps it is possible to take a meal to them. Even just a casserole that can be frozen and taken out at the family’s convenience goes a L O N G way to feed their soul as well as their stomachs! 🙂
Fabulous post, Robin! As usual, your Jesus heart shines!
As a military spouse, I second what Kristen just said up above me. 🙂 And since I love to cook or bake, I am thankful for all these recipes so I can bless my fellow military spouses during their deployments and TDY’s, etc too. 🙂 This was a great idea, Robin, and I’m so thankful for it, and for incourage as a whole. Blessings to you! (I posted #14 and 15) 🙂
I can’t participate as I am a terrible cook and I don’t think I’ve ever posted a recipe on my blog…. wait, does a picture of sunchips and a cut-up avocado count? That’s about the extent of my culinary skills 😉 … But I am forever grateful to our friends and family who brought over meals after we lost our sweet Evie. There wasn’t really words to say, but they showed an outpouring of love with their actions. I will never forget it.
Any way, I love this post, and I love to eat- so I’ll definitely go salivate at all the shared recipes =)