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by Rhonda Rhea
Most of us agree we're too busy. But what should get cut from the schedule? I've heard many of you quickly volunteering to give up cooking dinner. I'm deeply moved by your willingness to sacrifice.
I have to confess I've wondered if home-cooking is really all its cracked up to be, anyway. My pantry if full of handy-dandy, boxed, microwaveable, fool-proof, make-'em-in-a-minute-and-a-half dinners. Maybe you have some, too. Don't make the same mistake I did. I read some of the labels. They read almost exactly like the ingredients on my shampoo bottle.
Chemicals and preservatives topped the lists of ingredients in all my favorites. I'm an optimist. I'm assuming since preservatives are designed to make things last longer, I should live to be at least 214.
Yet I do have some reservations. I've seen plastic artificial flowers. Artificial intelligence is probably mostly plastic, too. So what is artificial flavor? And if "all natural" means "from the earth", on what planet do they harvest the artificial, "un-natural" ingredients?
The general rule is: If it tastes good, spit it out. It's still probably healthier to chuck the contents and eat the cardboard box. Cardboard at least has plenty of fiber. With the right sauce we really might have something here.
Whatever we decide to do with the dinner hour, there is another hour that we just can't afford to cut. Unfortunately, it seems to get the ax first, sometimes without even consciously choosing. It's an activity that's infinitely more important than dinner. (I've got your attention now, don't I!)
I'm talking about our spiritual food. On those busy days, our time with the Lord in prayer and Bible study is the meat that gives us the energy to correctly handle all the quick decisions and extra stresses. Do you want real satisfaction? Cut out the massage and the brow waxing if something has to go, and leave in your quiet time with the Lord.
Don't let this get around, but I tend to snack when I have my quiet time. There are little hunks of crumbs between the pages of my favorite passages. If I turned my Bible upside down and gave it a good shake over the dining table, I could probably just set out the silverware and serve dinner (Aha! I CAN make dinner without using a box). I don't think that's what's meant by feasting on the Word, though.
There is sweet satisfaction in feasting on His daily special. Psalm 63:5 testifies: "My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you." The Bread of Life always satisfies. No additives needed. Your time on your knees and in His Word is all you need for a great spiritual meal. He gives you the kind of meal that never follows up with, "Would you like fries with that?"
And unlike some of those frozen dinners, you won't feel empty again in an hour!
Rhonda Rhea writes award-winning inspirational humor columns for other Christian publications in the U.S. and Canada. Look for her new book, Amusing Grace, at your local Christian bookstore. Click here to see her website.
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