Day of Praise

Fr, 5/29/15, "Day of Praise"

"Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." - Proverbs 30:7-9

When I was a kid, my mom went with my dad on a business trip. My dad worked in the international division of chemical sales for Tennessee Eastman, which was a part of Eastman Kodak at that time. Their trip was to Europe, which meant that somebody had to stay with us four kids for about a week. 

Her name was Mrs. White. I have no idea how old she was. My goodness, I can't remember how old I was. All I knew then was that she looked old and over-matched by us four kids, of which I was the third. 

To the best of my knowledge, we kids had never met Mrs. White before her stay with us, and, afterwards, we never saw her again. We must have terrified her. 

I know I did. I can't remember anybody's age, but I can remember my offense. All I wanted to eat was macaroni and cheese. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For a week. 

I thought I was in heaven. 

She must've thought I was unstable or something because every time she asked me what I wanted to eat, I'd say, "Macaroni and Cheese." Then she'd look at me like I was crazy. And then she'd make it for me. Every meal for a week. 

It was like I was saying, "Give me only my mac and cheese." It was a child's version of the heart of today's Bible passage where God teaches us to say, "Give me only my daily bread," which is what Jesus also teaches us in the Lord's Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread," which is only to ask for each day's portion of bread for the belly and bread for the soul. 

Can you imagine how awesome the whole world would be if every single person was content with the day's portion of bread for the belly and bread for the soul? Everybody would have God and friendships and enough food for the belly to satisfy. Everyday. Forever. Can you imagine the peace and contentment and joy?

Oh sure there'd be some who would look at us like we were crazy as they were thinking, "You're able to live and be satisfied with 'only your daily bread'?"

Can you imagine?

I can. It would be the adult version of a kid who was happy for a week with only his mac and cheese!

Praise God!

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