It's Wrapped in Love
I’ve saved you a spot! Have a seat and let’s catch up!
I made dinner for some friends and family: a beef bourguignon, buttery mashed Yukon potatoes, sweet potatoes with a hint of cinnamon (yip, two kinds of potatoes=), sautéed green beans, and luscious herby green salad with roasted pecans and crumbled goat cheese. I made another dinner: homemade pizza dough, store bought marinara sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella with a bright loaded green salad. In all of it, my soul was nourished in the process. And not glossing over the stinky parts. Yes there was a trip to get missing ingredients. Yes there were dirty dishes. It’s just the soul nourishing part outweighed any of the other because I was focused on connection. (And pro-tip, never underestimate the power of a great playlist, podcast or audiobook while you run to the store or prep the feast.)
Years ago, while I was working on my thesis in grad school, I interviewed a couple who owned a restaurant. I now don’t remember the question, but I will forever remember and hold the answer. She simply and profoundly said, “food is intimate.” I wholeheartedly agree and feel it is part of my calling, to help people experience it. So I will lovingly plea in each gathered sacred moment, ‘Food is intimate; I hope you experience it.’ Yes I am passionate about salt, and food temperature and getting flavors to compliment; but in all of it, absolutely all of it is wrapped in the spirit of love. I often ask God to heal and make it delicious while I’m cooking or it’s baking. And I don’t necessarily care if it’s delicious for me, I’ve enjoyed the process; I want it to be delicious for who I’m sharing it with. It doesn’t really matter what we make; the point is connection. Life is hard, may this little respite at the table be a safe, nourishing, nurturing haven of love, hope, happiness and peace. The thing is, back to my friend, I could taste it in her food. I could experience the love that it was prepared with; I could experience her heart through it. May this be true of us as we lavishly and courageously share our gifts with the world. Let’s wrap whatever we do with the presence of love. May we start with those near us and let it flow.
When I was a kid, my mom would make homemade candy suckers. She would spread the wax paper out on the kitchen table, set up all the molds, get the wooden sticks inserted just perfectly. It was truly a labor intensive operation. Most of the time they were cinnamon (my favorite), but I absolutely loved every flavor she made. Looking back, I know it was because each time, it was such work of art and labor of love. I felt loved with those sweet suckers. But it wasn’t just the suckers that turned out perfectly molded. I loved the little bits of leftover ‘scraps’ from the suckers; like only insiders get to have those pieces. Maybe that’s the gift we share is when we let others be ‘insiders’ and experience even the not so shiny and polished goodness we have to share. Authenticity is a beautiful gateway to intimacy. Let’s start today. In what area can we authentically welcome insiders? It’s a sacred space.
At the end of each Typology podcast, Ian Morgan Cron gives this benediction/blessing, “May you have love. May you have joy. May you have peace. May you have healing. May you have rest.” I think this is a lovely blessing to pray with every recipe I share, every table I gather, every heart that is touched. You are seen. You are known. You are loved. This journey is wrapped in love.
