Sharing a Meal

The past couple of years my mom and I have started a new tradition of picking an area of the country and seeing as many states and baseball games as we can in as few days as possible. This year we found ourselves exploring New England and all the beauty and food there was to discover!

As any good tourist roaming the eastern seaboard, we HAD to have a lobster roll. We discovered that one of the best spots was the Lobster Shack in Portland, Maine. The place could hardly be called a restaurant as it was perched on a cliffside overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The spot was filled with tourists and locals alike, making me the youngest guy seemingly for miles. As amazing as the lobster roll was, the collection of where we were, who I was with, the sound of the seagulls, with the waves breaking on the cliffs below left me struck with thankfulness. I was full of gratitude for my mom, for the journey to took to be here, all just to share a meal.

It is amazing how a simple meal in a simple location can be transformed into a moment of thankfulness worthy of praising the Lord. Reading through the Gospels, Jesus was constantly eating which underlines the grace and blessing it is to eat. Whether with sinners or dear friends, Jesus was willing to share a meal. Eating and being grateful are part of the human experience.

So, as we gather with loved ones this holiday season, let us be reminded of the goodness of God that comes from a simple meal.

“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer” 1 Timothy 4:4-5

 – Jagger Riffle, Black Diamond Camp Cook