What’s Cooking

I always loved Sunday dinners at my Aunt and Uncle’s house as a boy. They were so good that they were even worth the eight hour trip over mountainous roads it took to get there. I could smell that food cooking all day long and by dinnertime it was all I could do not to chew on the silverware as I helped set the table. Soon our plates were filled with mashed potatoes and gravy, roast turkey, hot rolls with butter, sweet corn, dumplings, and a big slice of cake with ice cream on the side. It still makes my mouth water even thinking about it. My Uncle would even joke that we had to visit more often because that was the only time my Aunt ever fed him this good.

We knew, however, that my Uncle was just cooking up some humor of his own. The thing that made those Summer trips south to their house so wonderful wasn’t just what they cooked in the kitchen but what they cooked in their hearts and home as well. Their lives together were a feast of friendship, laughter, love, and joy. They always had a dessert tray full of goodness, kindness, and faith as well. And anytime life would throw something nasty in their soup pot they would just ladle it out with a little love and a lot of forgiveness. Every time we would visit them we would go back home with not just full bellies but full souls too.

What’s cooking in your life? Are you fixing up a delightful meal for all those around you or are you brewing up a bitter broth in your heart, soul, and mind? Either way remember that it’s your choice. What you cook is up to you. It is never too late, however, to toss out the meal if you hate it and start a fresh pot stewing. God gave you all the ingredients you need to create a feast that even Heaven’s angels would love to dine on. Make your meal a great one then. Stir in a lot of love, pour on a generous helping of laughter, and mix in all the joy you can. And most of all don’t forget to let God read you the recipe.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella ~

[ by: Joseph J. Mazzella Copyright © 2008 (joecool@wirefire.com) -- submitted by: Joseph Mazzella ]