I am Rahab… Finding God in The Kitchen
by JC Miller
Those who know me know that I love to bake. Not only is baking my superpower, but it’s also my therapy. Something is comforting in the knowledge of controlled science. You don’t have to worry too much about the outcome – just follow the rules. Baking doesn’t allow for many changes, and in a world that’s ever-changing, the solitude one finds in baking is comforting. Kneading dough releases frustrations. The sound of a mixer can drown out the noises of the world. But it’s the smell of fresh bread that does it for me. Zen zone alert!
When I’m in the kitchen, you’ll find me not only baking but most times cooking, cleaning, meditating, and worshiping. I guess that’s why I prefer to be in the kitchen alone. Having company is great, but the Kitchen is one of my sanctuaries.
But man was not made to work alone in isolation. His life is best in fellowship with God and other humans.
More goes into baking than just following directions or going through motions; it can be a profound spiritual lesson. Did you know that in baking, the yeast dies under heat, there’s a process of resting and rising, your ingredients transform into something else, and cupcakes are best when shared? We are not living full lives if we are not connecting with other people in deep, meaningful relationships.
That’s why, besides the many loved ones that we’ve lost in this season, this whole Covid thing is so disheartening. To get back to normal, we must connect again. I’ll be the first to admit that sharing my zen zones has been challenging; especially with those who disrupt my peace. Woosaah! I digress.
One good thing that has come out of this pandemic is that the Kitchen has reclaimed its title as the heart of the home again. The consequential place of joy, laughter, and bonding. A meeting place where family members come from their perspective hideaways in the house to come together and spend time while eating food. My daughter and I have started baking different types of cookies for fun. Sometimes I order from those meal kits, and as a family, we share in learning new and different cooking experiences. Let’s not talk about the weight we’ve gained – that’s for another blog titled, The Family Workout. But seriously, family time offers many benefits, including building confidence, creating a stronger emotional bond between family members, improving communication skills, better performance in school, and reduced behavioral issues, and providing an opportunity to make memories built on fun, laughter, and togetherness. Notice how Jesus’ ministry centered around food. The gospel is full of festivals, gatherings, and quaint dining experiences. Jesus often used meals to engage with people and teach important lessons. Meeting people’s basic physical needs often ministers more than words and ultimately gives you a kind of integrity that can lead to a deeper conversation. In this fast-paced, tech-saturated culture we live in, I think it is essential to recover the art of a slow meal around a table with people we care about. I hope you are all taking this time to grow in faith, relationship, peace, love, and FOOD!
Why? Because we are Rahab, too.
SIDE NOTE:
Over 17 years ago, I was doing what I do in my Kitchen when I received the idea to write a devotional type cookbook about how baking is like our walk with Christ. You know… sometimes we’re put through the fire, sometimes we’re resting on the cooling rack, then other times we need to be scrapped down into the Word. The book was titled Finding God in the Kitchen, and it’s still available on Amazon. Thanks for asking. Lol. Bon appetit.
