Tuesday 9 August 2011

Simple grace

God has given us all things to enjoy richly, simple things that we can take for granted. Like most mornings I really enjoy my breakfast, more so at present being on a diet, and this morning was no exception. I began thinking about how much we take this simple pleasure and the satisfaction that a good meal can bring for granted. We say grace around the table but do we really consider why we should be thankful to God for the provision. I have heard people critise grace because as far as they are concerned they put the meal on the table and cannot make the connection of gratitude to Father, the Creator.

Oh the wisdom of God, that He put life into a seed, so when in the right environment, it bursts forth to grow and reproduce and multiply. What an incredible thing. Not only does the plant grow and produce fruit but the quantity a single fruit tree produces, is well and truly more than it needs to reproduce itself.

The other most amazing thing is that everything our bodies need to grow and function and keep healthy is in the food that God put on the earth. And the variety of grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables speaks to me of God's abundant nature toward us, ensuring we have plenty to chose from that is pleasing to the eye as well as the palette.

Talking about the palette. How satisfying is it not only to have a good meal, but to be able to share that meal with friends and family. How much joy and laughter has there been around the family table.

And just think on the flavour of the different foods that God has made available. To think that God put those flavours there when He created them and then gave us a tongue that can receive and enjoy all these different flavours. I think that is incredible. The wisdom He had to have digestion begin in the mouth, so that we are to savour the flavours and linger over them, to really enjoy them and get the full satisfaction.

We tend to turn mealtime grace into a rote prayer, but when we consider all that God has done, it can once again be a genuine, thankful and heartfelt prayer.

Simple grace offered to an awesome, abundant Giver of GRACE and Life. Let's have abundantly thankful hearts, Amen?

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