A Recipe for Joy

A few weeks ago, Hannah (14) was invited to a wedding. The preparations were nearly as delightful as the event itself. We pleasured in shopping for a dress, having her nails painted and selecting a present. I chose to give the bride my favorite present - a recipe. Wrapped up with the recipe were some of the tools needed to prepare the dish but the real treasure was a simple, hand-written card. On that card I wrote ingredients and measurements. Intertwined with those instructions and scrawled in invisible ink was all the love and joy of our family experienced while we ate that meal.

Recipes serve many purposes in my life. There is the obvious such as the provision of directions for preparing a dish. The more obscure impact is on my heart. As I cook a treasured recipe, it reminds me of the author. I think about her, pray for her and reminisce over shared memories. It is almost as if my mom, sister or friend comes and joins me in the kitchen. She may be hundreds of miles away but through our shared recipe, she feels as close as my very heart. It's no surprise a recipe is my wedding gift of choice.

Today I am reading Ephesians 2. In this chapter, Paul contrasts the hopeless life without Jesus to the abundant, blessed life with Him. This passage, rich with description contains one phrase that calms my heart: "In Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near." (Verse 13) God wants there to be no awkwardness in our relationship. No gawky pauses. No uncomfortable silences.

Jesus died to draw me from miles away to rest on His very chest. Just as a recipe can erase the distance of states, God's compelling love can vanquish years of loneliness. He wants me near. He desires me close. No space between us.

Thank you, Jesus, for bringing me close to Your heart. There is comfort and peace in placing myself within Your arms. As I walk through my day, help me remember You are holding me. You are near. Your love is my recipe for joy.