Internet Cafe: A Fine Feast

Can I get an “Amen!”?!?!?

Ok, that amen-calling may have been a bit premature. I’m just feeling passionate about this one!

I have not yet been married for a year and Houston, we’ve got a problem: my husband just doesn’t share the same enthusiasm as me for dessert. As a matter of shocking fact, I am honestly embarrassed to admit, some nights he forgoes a night-time snack all together!

He often says, “I’ve just eaten enough today.”

Or “I am full.”

Who? Says? That?

I stare at the computer screen tonight and think, “This is the man who when I suggested we play the ‘I'm-Going-On-A-Picnic-Game’ said he was bringing a sandwich, which is fine if we were at the letter ‘S’, but he was supposed to be bringing something that started with a “B”!” I mean, surely, all of heaven is aware I am the brain of this operation!

How is it then that he houses enough self-restraint to opt out of the dessert meal of the day?

And you see, when he doesn’t eat a delicious treat…it makes it hard for me to. When he orders a small ice cream cone, I have to follow suit! Because what woman wants to be seen eating an ice cream cone that puts the tower of Babel to shame as her husband enjoys a dainty sampling of the newest ‘cream at Coldstone? Tell me! Who!

When the Starbuck’s barista asked him for his latte size a few weeks ago and he dared to utter the word, “Tall,” ladies, I about lost it.

You can cross me in many ways before I speak up: decide not to partake in some popcorn, decline the fruit smoothie, simply shake your head ‘no’ to a vanilla pudding offer – but DON’T YOU EVER ORDER ANY SIZE LESS THAN A GRANDE AT STARBUCKS.

Dear me. My heart nearly gave out. And that was when I knew things were bad.

“I am full.”

Now, now, ladies. Before you go telling me we need marital counseling because something is clearly wrong with the Man, bear with me.

What if we lived our spiritual lives like this?

What if when temptation came knocking, smelling sweet and looking fine, we simply shook our heads and said, “I am full.”

Oh, how I pray when we find ourselves faced with that shiny, red apple being dangled before our eyes we will remember the words of Hosea, “All that party food won’t fill you up. You’ll end up hungrier than ever…you’ll be starved for God.” (Hosea 9, TM)

In those moments I ask on our behalf that we will say, “I am full.”

Because, friend, that is what we are offered in Christ Jesus. Lives that are full. Hungry stomachs that are fed. There is nothing wrong with being hungry – it is when we abuse the hunger that we begin to see problems.

Psalm 81:8-10 speaks to us today, “If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever, but you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

So often we look to all of these others things to bring us satisfaction. We are “hungry” but don’t realize Who we are starving for.

I want to challenge us this week to tell the world “we’ve eaten enough” of it and bring our hungry selves to the feet of Christ.

There is nothing He would like more than to fill your hungry stomach.

I hope as you drink your Grande (or larger!) Starbuck’s coffee, you will ask Him to meet whatever need you feel is going unmet at the moment.

Feast on His words and be fed!

Father God, When the things of this world begin to appeal to my appetite, help me feast upon Your Word! Still my hunger, fill me up and keep me determined to look to you for my satisfaction. I thank You for Your Spirit, who is at work in me and leads me ever closer to you. Amen.