Today’s scripture: Hebrews 13:1-2, 20-21 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (James Hendrix):
Three years ago, my mother died. When I remember Mom’s life, I think about the many ways she shared her love with others. She loved God and blessed others through her kindness.
One of the ways my mother expressed her love for people was by cooking for them. Mom was an excellent cook, and she loved to spend time in her kitchen preparing meals for my stepfather and me. Mom could cook just about anything, but she especially enjoyed baking cakes. I remember sitting at the kitchen table when I was a child watching her assemble the ingredients she needed for baking a pound cake. As she prepared to bake the cake, she would gather flour, eggs, butter, sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, milk, and salt. She placed all the ingredients on the kitchen table and then began measuring, sifting, and blending them in a large mixing bowl. I sat watching her, anticipating the taste of creamy batter on a wooden spoon that she always gave me after pouring the cake batter into pans. After Mom placed her batter in the oven, I waited as an inviting aroma of vanilla and sweet butter filled our home. More than anything, I looked forward to the taste of a delicious slice of pound cake.
Mom loved to cook and bake for her family, but she also enjoyed sharing her culinary gift with just about anyone. People often asked her to bake a pound cake or three-layer chocolate cake for them. Whether the requests came from a neighbor, relatives, friends from church, or one of her colleagues at work, Mom never turned them down. “I’ll buy the ingredients and drop them off at your home,” a friend would say to Mom. “You don’t have to do that,” Mom would reply. “I will buy the ingredients, bake the cake this afternoon, and you can stop by later to pick it up.” “How much will I owe you?” the requestor would ask. “Absolutely nothing,” Mom would say. “It’s my gift to you and your family.”
My mother did not always talk with me about sharing, but as I watched her life I learned what it means to share God’s love with others. Although I do not possess her culinary skills, I have learned that I can bless people in various ways, whether it is with a smile, a listening ear, or a word of encouragement.
Prayer for the day: God, during this season of thanksgiving, use us to share your message of love and mercy to our brothers and sisters. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.