Since there is onebread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:17
We watched experienced hands pull small pieces off a lump of diugh to form balls and flatten them into circles. Then, we followed the instructions to take a flour circle, place a spoonful in the center, fold in half, and squeeze the edges with your fingers while pinching it inward. The host then dumped them in boiling water to cook.
One highlight on my recent trip to China involved cooking dumplings at friend’s home. It’s an honor to be invited to a Chinese home and a blessing to share in cooking together. Four of us from the U.S. gathered with our Chinese friends to learn, eat, and chat together. The platters overflowed with hot dumplings stuffed with a variety of traditional fillings. The traditional dumpling meal included hiding a date in several dumplings. The ones who found them received surprises. Of course, our friends tried to guide us to ones containing the sweet fruit.
I enjoy cooking with others and especially like learning new ways to make various variations of bread. There’s something that brings me closer to people when we cook together and then share the meal we prepared. That evening in China extended late into the night as we shared in prayer, faith, and fellowship. It seemed fitting to have done this shortly before Easter when Christ broke bread with his friends and shared from his heart.
How have you drawn close to others around bread or cooking? When has a meal stretched out as you shared from your heart and felt united by faith?
Father, help me come to the table ready to listen, share, and rejoice with those around me.
Karen Whiting is an international speaker, former television host, and author of twenty-three books. Watch for her summer release Gift of Bread: Food for Heart and Table.