21 January, 2017
When you have eaten and are
satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be
careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his
commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise,
when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and
when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all
you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget
the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Deuteronomy 8:10-14
I watched the pot of rice steam and boil on the gas burner;
it had cost almost a fortune because of the biting economic recession in my
country. Alas, I was grateful I had something to eat that night. Often times we
lose the benefit of tranquility that absorbs the mind overwhelmed with
gratitude to God over little things –Which of course matters. Such things as
saying, “Thank you God for tonight’s meal..
Most times we morbidly go through breakfast; lunch or dinner
as though it was a constant of living without recognising that the provision on
our dining table is a virtue of the divine benevolence of God. Some perhaps may
dare ask, “Where is the big guy in the sky when I toiled over my hard earned
cash?” In that moment of awkward absurdity he had forgotten those who probably
made twice of thrice of what he earned but squanders it on ravening sickness as
cancer or other such sicknesses. There are some who cannot appreciate the
goodness of a cooked meal. That mortal forgets to reflect on those who are
homeless, hungry or frost bitten most nights. What makes him differ from them?.
When Jesus took the bread He always blessed it, not after
but before eating of it. When you have that benefit of eating, treasure it. Bless
those who are kind enough to prepare you a meal, God who graciously provides it
and pray for those who lack it. Thankfulness may not guarantee the extinction
of scarcity, but it sure gives us the attitude to live through scarcity.
Then he took the seven
loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them
to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were
satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces
that were left over. Matt 15:36-38.
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