Napoli’s. It’s the name of Grand Island’s relatively new (and fabulously delicious) Italian Cuisine. To think that, for over two years now, I have been passing by such an incredible menu in pursuit of Whoppers and other such “lesser things”. Tragic.
Tortellini Modo Mio. That was the name of my dish. (Well, it didn’t start out as my dish. It started out as my mother-in-law’s dish…but it looked better than mine ~ so it ended up becoming my dish!) I have found no adjectives that will suffice to describe the effect this pasta experience had on my taste buds. But I’m pretty sure I was moaning like a woman in labor the whole time!
My bride ordered the pasta sampler, and that was equally as delicious. Sadly, though, I am but one man and had only enough stomach capacity to pirate one meal. I did, however, manage a couple bites of the sampler…enough to know that it will be a toss-up the next time I find myself at a Napoli table (which won’t be soon enough).
The thing about food is – it never exits as appetizing as it enters! Simple fact. Fork vs. toilet paper: the fork gets the better end of the deal every time!
Such is the phenomenon that happens every time I preach! It never comes out as good as it comes in. The prophet Jeremiah said, “Your words were found, and I ate them. And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” (Jer. 15:16) This past Sunday was especially frustrating for me as God’s Word in the Song of Songs was so good as “I ate them” during the week; and yet they didn’t seem to be nearly as appetizing on my lips as they were in my heart.
I thought about a “take two”…preaching the sermon all over again! Instead, I think I will just share with you some of the verses that “nourished” me last week and encourage you to have this meal with God on your own.
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“Behold, you are fair, my love!
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Behold, you are fair!”
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~ Song of Songs 1:15a
“He who touches you (insert your name) touches the apple of His eyes.” ~ Zech. 2:8
“You (insert your name) were precious in My sight…and I have loved you.” ~ Isaiah 43:4
“I chose you (insert your name).” ~ John 15:19
“Look at [God’s care of creation]…Are you (insert your name) not of more value?” ~ Matt. 6:26
“I have loved you (insert your name) with an everlasting love…with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” ~ Jer. 31:3
Be encouraged this week. Regardless of how the world sees you; regardless of how you maybe see yourself at times, Jesus says that, in Him, you are beautiful, precious, valuable, greatly loved, … and worth the dying price to call His own!
