Last night I started thinking about goodness. Goodness so rich. Plenty in abundance. And the picture that came to mind was a memory from a friends’ home. These friends live out in the country, miles away from stores, and they often have guests, hosting retreats at their home. The first time I saw their pantry I stood and marveled at it, amazed by the amounts. Rows and shelves of boxes and jars. I’m not sure I remember even the specific items in all the jars and cans, but just the sense of abundance from all the food. Shelves both below and above the eyes and on either side. White lids on glass jars with labels. Boxes of pasta, spaghetti in stacks. Jars of chocolate chips, coconut and cocoa powder (funny how I remember the sweets!) I noticed garbanzo beans and spelt flour. Grains and vegetables. Cans of soda and bottles of juice, large and small. Cereal, granola, raisins, prunes. More food than I could imagine, enough to feed and fill our family for weeks.
Standing in their pantry, I thought of God’s abundance. How good He is, and how that goodness is something we can almost taste at times. How His blessings fill and feed us.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23
