In a world seeming especially strained and strident, my Lenten focus, this year, will be lensed through gratefulness and thanksgiving, for God’s many gifts (both large and small). As I reflect on blessings and ‘favorite things’, I am especially thankful for…pie! Historians trace pie’s initial origins to the Greeks, who came up with the pastry shell by combining water and flour into a thin sheet for skilled filling and crisping in their clay ovens. Wealthy Romans used more than just sweet things; savory meats, eggs, cheeses and seafood all peeked out from the early Greek’s golden crusts.
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Most of our annual, stateside Thanksgiving dinners were spent at my parent’s house. Turkey and the standard trimmings and always four types of pie—Sweet Potato, Lemon Merengue, Chocolate, Raisin Cream. While we all got to request ‘preferred size’ of our favorite (to least favorite) type of pie, it was mandatory for each of us to get a sliver of each one. The last bites were the hardest and you were forced to decide whether you ate the big piece of your favorite first, or the small piece of another’s favorite first and thus saved the best for last. When the boys were still young, we did a lot of ‘just try a bite’ or ‘how about a small piece’ of many different foods. I would use this on myself, with my dad’s Thanksgiving favorite of raisin cream. Truth be told, it is an acquired taste which I did not share. But, I enjoyed the bonding with my dad and his best friend (a frequent dinner guest in later years). I would only shudder slightly, when they mourned there wasn’t more raisin cream for extra helpings to all present.
Year’s later, I was preparing to attend an assuredly tense, ‘church finance’ meeting. For motivation or reward, Linda baked me a Lemon Cream pie (my favorite) and the large, pie-piece, smiling from my plate, inspired a church-life strategy I continue to use on myself-if/when pew partners cloy or annoy: when things really matter to us, we have to engage (give or take) in something to support and connect. At regular ‘church suppers’ there will always be four pies…‘time, talent, treasure and troth (perceived truth)’. We serve and share big and small pieces of each, with one and all. Some we really like, some we have to choke down, but that is the way we build both community and God’s kingdom. I find this strategy helps me focus on what really matters (God), especially in these rather socially charged times. At His bounteous table, we conjoin with strangers and friends for the chance to emerge after sharing pie; all full and grateful with God’s opportunities and grace.
Submitted by Chaplain John Holzhüter
Prayer God, thank you for the breadth and depth of the many tangible blessings you give us. Help us to stay open to opportunities and experiences—unknown, unexpected, or even undesired. Keep us grateful for any chance to share with You. And fuel us with a huge helping of grace—especially when we need it the most. AMEN.