Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

I know the term “comfort food.”  You probably do, too.  When I get frustrated or down in the dumps, my mind pulls from its photo file a snapshot of a golden brown, grilled cheese sandwich and a steaming mug of tomato soup.  In my mind’s eye I have made the first step on my road to recovery from the doldrums.  Second step — preparation.  The smell of the sandwich in the frying pan reaches my nostrils, telling my tongue to wake up because something good is coming!  The red tomato soup simmers, its steam playing havoc with my now rumbling tummy.  My taste buds tease me with longing! All of my senses are on standby for what promises to be well worth the wait!  Third and final step – devour, sit back, enjoy.

I like to dip my grilled cheese into my soup.  As I dip and chew and drink I can feel my body releasing its stress.  The frustrations of the previous moments take a backseat.  Feelings of downheartedness fade — all because of satisfaction to my culinary senses.  The world indeed seems a better place when I’ve had my grilled cheese sandwich and mug of tomato soup.

My spiritual world is a better place, too, when I’ve fed my anguishing heart.   Jeremiah 15:16 tells us, “When I discovered Your words, I devoured them.  They are my joy and my heart’s delight.”  As physical food comforts us, gives us proper nourishment and strengthens us, so does spiritual food for our daily journey.

When we devour God’s Words, we are reminded of truth that sets us free.  We are given guidance to show us the way, we are buoyed up to stand against winds of despair.  We are anchored to God’s loving hold on us.  We are filled with hope in the midst of all odds.  We are nourished so that our eyes see clearly in the fog of our questioning minds that would have us look away from God to what the world offers as hope instead.   Our ears are kept sharp to detect the smallest whisper of God speaking comfort into every crevice of pain and disappointment.

God’s comfort food is always on the stove ready to be served.  Just eat.  It is pleasing and nourishing to all our senses, providing fortitude to replace weariness, determination to press on and upwards, tenacity to relish even the difficulty of the race, knowing a prize of God’s joy and peace awaits!   Devour, sit back, enjoy.