Junk Food Night

Tonight we enjoyed a family night. Our traditional family night involves all of us (less Stephanie as she is away from college now) gathering for junk food and a movie or board game. Our meal was simple; chicken nuggets, summer sausage, crackers, cheese, bread, carrots, celery, and grapes, which, in reflection, is very European if you lose the chicken nuggets. (Speaking of European, last night we cooked wienerschnitzel, which is not hotdogs as many would think, but that's another story.) Our family night is a treasured time as we all get a chance to be together as a family. It is always a true joy for me... and I think it is for the kids as well.

Not every aspect of my life revolves around food, but breaking bread at the table has been an important part of my family's life on a near daily basis. We try to have supper together every night, though we don't always succeed in it. When I cook, especially when I succeed at cooking, the tastes to me have something of a spiritual connection. They remind me that God's creation is incredibly complex and diverse. As the Bible says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good..." (Psalm 34.8)

Yet flavors come from very simple beginnings. From plants, and animals, even minerals; it is when they mix together, in proper proportions that the flavors come alive on the taste buds and delight the sense and excite the soul, before going on to nourish the body.

Tonight, like many nights before, we allowed the flavors of family life to delight our senses and excite our soul, just as we nourished (with junk food???) our bodies. I can see that the Lord is good.