Food

A foodie is described as an everyday person “who eats for pleasure rather than just hunger, and who actively explores food culture, cooking, and dining as a hobby.” (Wikipedia)

I especially like the last part of that definition. Dining as a hobby!? How great is that? I think I’m going to cancel my gym membership and focus on perfecting my foodie hobby! I was definitely a member of this society well before it was trendy.

I not only like food, but I’ve also always had a disturbing fascination with watching people eat their food selections. Don’t act as if you’ve never done it.

Think about the person eating spaghetti. Some people cut the long strands of succulent pasta into dainty, little bite-sized morsels. Others endlessly wrap and rotate the long, slender pasta strands around their fork, thinking that the little tail will eventually, magically cling to the fork if they just wrap it enough times. Over and over they spin it like an out-of-control rotisserie—displaying their gross misunderstanding of how gravity actually operates.

And then there’s the banana. I used to have a coworker who couldn’t stand to be around anyone who snacked on the Yellow Wonder. The subtle, almost imperceptible—and highly annoying—micro-smacks of one’s lips followed by the gurgling, swallowing sounds were too much for them! The event can seem nearly eternal for some people.

Chomp…wet squish…mmph…smack… followed by the dreaded swallowing sounds of the moist, slender yellow torpedo. It can be enough to make anyone want to tap out at the family dinner table.

I was once offered monkey eyes in Africa. They are a dining delicacy for some. I politely declined the generous offer. I do enjoy a Sweet Lassie when I’m in India. It’s a wonderful yogurt-based drink that comes straight from heaven. If you ever get a chance, be sure to treat yourself.

I’ll pass on Masala but will never refuse an offer for ice cream. Anyways, I’m not actually a foodie per se. I’m not that refined. I just like to eat. I have my black belt in snacking.

My mom used to tell me to clean up my plate because there were plenty of youngins around the globe that would love to eat what I desired to discard. I was trained to finish my plate like it was my job.

After spending the last 25 years in orphan care ministry and assisting orphans around the globe, I can assure you that we never once sent leftover scraps from America to any of these children. Not once. So….

Food, like so many things in the US, is often abundant. Further, we enjoy a staggering variety of options that most other continents—including Europe—can barely wrap their heads around. When the World Cup was being hosted by the US, our guests were amazed by the selection and the SIZE of our portions.

I encourage you to pause and take a moment to reflect when you’re eating later today. Hold that sandwich in your hand, and be genuinely grateful. Look at your plate and allow yourself to be mesmerized. Be amazed at your good fortune. Whisper a prayer to God for the abundance that you enjoy, especially when compared to so much of the globe.

Then, allow that gratitude to continue to swell in other areas. Try to get into the habit of naming five things that you’re grateful for every day. Current research is demonstrating that reducing negativity is even more important than increasing positivity.

Don’t swim in the negative quagmire that is so easily accessible today. Speak the positive out loud. And if you feel inspired to take it to the next level, donate to a food bank. Sponsor a child. Take cookies to your neighbor. Find ways to use food to encourage someone in your life. It could be as simple as dropping off a cake pop to a shut-in.

But no bananas, please. You never know who is sitting across the table who might be tortured as you whimsically consume that Bendy Boy.

matt

For extra credit, check out Proverbs 27:17

To respond to any Pilgrimage devotional, you can email me directly at [email protected]

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