Friday prayer: taste and see

I taste

the sweetness of ripe watermelon, enjoyed in my backyard

the sourness of lemons, squeezed into refreshing beverages

the savoriness of bacon, paired with pancakes for a perfect weekend breakfast

the saltiness of pretzels, the snack I load up with cheeses and hummus

the spiciness of peppers, lending heat to chunky salsa

the tanginess of deep red tomatoes, delectable enough to be eaten as a dessert

the creaminess of avocados, the brain food that goes with every meal

the bitterness of dark chocolate, without which no day is complete

the richness of soups, deliverers of comfort in cold months and times of illness

and I know that you delight in my enjoyment of the fruits of your earth.

These are some of my favorite foods,

and they are just a slice of all that you give us to fill and fuel our bodies.

But even more than flavors and calories,

you offer us the Bread of Life

and Living Water.

You invite us to gather with your people around your bounteous table.

Because of this,

we will not forever be hungry

or thirsty

or lost

or alone, thanks be to God.

Be with those who suffer want

in the here and now.

Make me generous with what I have and who I am

so that others might taste and see

that you are so very good.

Laura Stephens-Reed is a clergy and congregational coach working with ministers and churches across the ecumenical spectrum. Having served in a variety of pastoral roles and denominations, she is primarily affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and has ministerial standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Based in northwest Alabama (United States), Laura is married to a United Methodist pastor, and they have a eight-year-old son. She blogs weekly at laurastephensreed.com.

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