A Chosen Portion

"The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
You hold my lot."  ~Psalm 16:5

A simple question today:  What is your chosen portion?  What is your cup?  From where do you drink and choose to get your fill?

Source:  Bing Images

Am I filling myself, my soul, with emptiness?  With things that don't last?  Or with the King of Eternity?

We are all dining, drinking, filling.  As surely as the air we breathe, we are taking in.  It is the very nature of being human to consume.  But what are we actually taking in?  

Abba Father ~

This day I choose to dine at Your table.  You are my chosen portion and my cup.  Nothing else will satisfy.  

Thank you.

In Jesus' name ~ Amen.

Enjoy today,

   

Mankind Was My Business

Last night after dinner and baths for the children, our family all snuggled up on our couch to enjoy a movie version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol".  Popcorn popped, all five of us snuggled in together along with our dog, Ben, and started watching.  There were the annual gasps from the children and them peering out between splayed fingers when Jacob Marley's face appeared in the door knocker.

As we were taking in the movie last night, one specific scene struck me to the core.  Marley has appeared to Ebenezer Scrooge and is talking over the passing of his days with him, lamenting his "life's opportunities misused".  Scrooge commends Marley for being such a savvy businessman.  Marley responds with an anguished cry:

"Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"

 "The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business."

Ah.  I wonder, do we view business in the same light?   What is our business?  Are we merely day-traders, working for a piece of paper that will one day expire and burn?  Is our business our schedule, the stuff and fluff of this quickly passing world?  Or do we make humanity our business while there is still time?  Because not unlike Jacob Marley, whether we realize it or not, mankind is our business.  

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your
inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.  I needed clothes and you clothed me.  I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Source:  Bing Images

Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you"?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"   ~Matthew 25:34-40

Enjoy today,

Keepin' It Simple

Sometimes the simple things are best.  I love a good crunchy apple; either plain, smeared with natural peanut butter or coupled with chunks of cheese.  Pair that with a tall glass of water and you have yourself a perfect snack or even a small meal.

A basket of apples enjoying its view from my kitchen island

Simmering on the stove this morning I have the last of the Thanksgiving turkey carcass from the freezer in a pot of water with some onion, celery and parsley to become tonight's nourishing soup.  Everyone in our family loves homemade turkey noodle soup!

Today, why not try to keep it simple.  Look around; see what you have on hand to make a nice easy meal or snack.  Maybe you have some fresh fruits to slice up and enjoy.  Perhaps there are a few neglected veggies getting a little limp in your refrigerator.  Chop those babies up and whip up a soup!  Most often, simple eating is not only easier on your schedule, but better for your body and mind as well.

Enjoy today,