Dear Friends,
Do you have a favorite fruit? I personally love pineapple. I put it on pizza, in burritos, and in all kinds of curry dishes. There is a Thai expression used to describe mediocre food, "Mai pen saparot," meaning, "It's not pineapple." I can relate to this expression's underlying assumption that food can be rated on a scale of zero to pineapple.
Continuing to move through the creation story in the beginning of Genesis while reflecting on the theme of goodness, I've arrived this week at the first mention of fruit.
"Then God said, 'Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day." - Genesis 1:11-13 (NIV)
On the third day, God made pineapple. And it was good.
All joking aside, in the very brief summary provided in Genesis, after forming the earth, God caused it come alive. Think for a minute about the miracle of living things all around you. Plants fill our world with beauty. They synthesize the oxygen that makes so many other life forms possible. They provide us with delicious food. They give us materials to build homes and create tools, clothing, furniture, medicine, and so many other things. God created the plants. And they are good.
Take a moment to look around you at plant life and things that are made from plant life, to be in awe of the goodness of creation, and to give thanks. Next time you eat your favorite fruit, take a moment to slow down, relish its goodness, and give thanks and praise to its creator.
A prayer for today:
Creator of heaven and earth, thank you for breathing life and movement and beauty into our world. Thank you for the air I breathe, the food I eat, the home I live in, and the clothes I wear. Thank you for the trees, grasses, flowers, and fruits. Cause me to notice you in all of these things and to praise you for your goodness. Amen.
Love in Christ,
Michelle
