I love to cook. I’m not a “fancy” cook making dishes that require obscure ingredients or complicated methods of cooking, I cook food that makes my family happy. From a big breakfast of eggs, papitas and sausage to the MacDonald Fajita Feast or tamales, my cooking is made up of traditional, fill-up-your-belly home cooking (with lots of Mexican flair). I also enjoy baking. Cookies, pies and cinnamon rolls are favorites in my home. The act of cooking is not a chore for me, it has become a spiritual practice.
I put in my AirPods and listen to music ranging from Handel to Ella Fitzgerald to Earth Wind and Fire and Van Halen. And yes, I often forget that others can hear me singing and rocking out to some Night Ranger. Some would argue that cooking in solitude would be more consistent with what is described as a spiritual practice, or listening to Christian music would be more appropriate. Others may think that listening to hair bands of the 80s while cooking and calling it a time that I connect with God may be sacrilegious, but I think that God loves to see me happy and the bigger the hair in the band, the better.
Spiritual practices are activities that we engage in to be closer to the Divine. For me the Divine is God, for others it is Buddha or perhaps simply a “Higher Power.” Praying is perhaps the most common spiritual practice. I an intrigued by the different spiritual practices that people use to connect with God. Coloring, meditation, walking, lectio divina, centering prayer, and using prayer beads are some of the more common practices. But when we step outside of the box to find those practices that may be a little unorthodox, we may find the practice that is overwhelmingly meaningful to our spiritual lives. It can turn into a more regular occurrence than simply praying during worship on Sunday.
Our world is turned upside down right now and what we once called normal may never be considered normal again. We are finding new ways to connect with others, new ways to work and play as well as worship. This reflection by Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber truly warmed my heart. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I do not know when we can gather together again in worship, Lord.
So, for now I just ask that:
When I sing along in my kitchen to each song on Stevie Wonder’s Songs in The Key of Life Album, that it be counted as praise. (Happy 70th Birthday, SW!)
And that when I read the news and my heart tightens in my chest, may it be counted as a Kyrie.
And that when my eyes brighten in a smile behind my mask as I thank the cashier may it be counted as passing the peace.
And that when I water my plants and wash my dishes and take a shower may it be counted as remembering my baptism.
And that when the tears come and my shoulders shake and my breathing falters, may it be counted as prayer.
And that when I stumble upon a Tabitha Brown video and hear her grace and love of you may it be counted as a hearing a homily.
And that as I sit at that table in my apartment, and eat one more homemade meal, slowly, joyfully, with nothing else demanding my time or attention, may it be counted as communion.
Amen.
-Nadia Bolz-Weber
Today I Am Thankful For:
- Monsoon rains
- A fresh, roll of stamps
- A new planner
- YouTube
- Painted rocks
