Week 1: The Table of Plenty
by Rev. Dr. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister
One of the regular practices at the Shorow household is for each member of the family to take a turn, preferably once a week, making dinner. The theory is that as we spread the workload, no one gets burned out, but more importantly, it serves as a reminder that meal preparation takes work. This makes us more thankful for the hands that prepare our meals and for the fact that we have plenty of food to eat.
Extra credit goes to the most creative menu. We scour the internet for unique recipes. Once, Clark made a Star Wars-themed meal—light saber pretzels, Wookie cookies, Bantha kebobs, and Ewok stew (ask your favorite Star Wars fan). Creative meals like these often require special ingredients and an extra trip to the store.
But the meal that teaches us the most is the “empty-the-cabinet-meal.” The rule is simple: make a meal using only what we have—no shopping allowed. We dig through the pantry for nearly expired beans, corn, beets, or whatever else we find, leading to some very creative dishes. That long-forgotten pack of Ramen? A perfect addition.
This practice always reminds us how blessed we are. We have more than enough. That realization humbles us. It stirs compassion for those who go hungry and encourages us to live more simply. It’s sobering to see how much we waste and how full our cabinets are with things we rarely use.
Simplicity points us to God’s promise—there is always enough. Just like the loaves and fishes, if we live in faith, there will be enough for all. Culture tells us to take what we need before it runs out, but Jesus shows us that when we share what we have, God provides.
Prayer: O God, open our eyes to the plenty around us. Teach us to see abundance where we once saw scarcity. Give us glad and generous hearts so that all may have enough.
Practicing Our Faith: FAST from Excess to See Plenty: Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000 is a story of hunger and abundance, scarcity and provision. It teaches us that what we have—even when it seems small—can be enough when we place it in God’s hands. This practice invites us into a rhythm of feasting and fasting by preparing a meal from what we already have, noticing both our abundance and the needs of others.
Choose a day this week to refrain from buying groceries or eating out. Instead, practice enoughness by preparing a meal using only what you already have in your pantry, fridge, or freezer. No extra shopping allowed! If you live with others, make it a group effort.
As you gather ingredients, consider:
What do you already have that you had forgotten?
What flavors, combinations, or new ideas emerge when you work with what’s available?
May this meal be a spiritual fast—an opportunity to step away from excess and toward gratitude.
Sharing the Feast: Put God’s Love in Action
Jesus met both physical and spiritual hunger, inviting people to trust in God’s provision. We trust there will be a time when God’s abundance will be shared among all people. Commit to one act of generosity around a table this week.
Consider preparing a meal with intention — from a spirit of joyful abundance. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, just a meal made with love and that you share with others.
Maybe you’ll call a friend and invite them over. Maybe you’ll deliver a meal to someone you know needs a moment of cheer. As you prepare this meal, take time to notice:
The colors, textures, and flavors in front of you.
The people who made this meal possible—farmers, grocers, cooks.
If cooking a meal doesn’t fit your week, maybe you’ll invite someone to meet you for a meal in a restaurant and share in conversation that is a reminder of the abundance we enjoy.
Questions for Reflection
How did preparing a meal from what you had on hand change your perspective on “enough?” How did it challenge your assumptions about what you “need?”
How does it connect you to those who must always make do with limited resources?
How does the practice of fasting from excess deepen your empathy for those who live with scarcity?
What did you learn about gratitude, waste, or abundance?
Beyond physical hunger, what other kinds of hunger do people experience?
Who in your life hungers for connection, belonging, or love? How might you offer what you have? How can you invite them to the table?
When we trust that in God’s kingdom, there is always enough, we become the ones who help others experience abundance. May these practices awaken in us gratitude, generosity, and a deeper faith in God's abundant love.