The Best Meal


While in California last week Jim and I did a lot of things and ate a lot of great food.  But the best meal - was really not about the food at all, it was about the experience.

We had spent the morning in Pasadena and been privileged enough to have gotten tickets to see the Rose Parade floats being built.  It was amazing.  There in these giant warehouses were these enormous floats (some of which had to be built in pieces because they were so big) all being painstakingly covered with flowers, seeds, and grasses.

But after spending a few hours there in Pasadena we began to get hungry and for dinner, Jim thought it would be cool if we could eat at a place that gave us a good view of the sunset and the valley.  He remembered a place he'd been to once called Castaway, and so we piled into the car and made our way up the winding slopes until we were high above the city.

Now Castaway is fancy - and in truth we weren't dressed for it.  But rather than judge us, and send us away, the restaurant staff welcomed us in.

And as we sat at our table - what struck me was the light.  It was amazing - stunning - beautiful.  It enveloped the patio and made everything look “alive”.

And then there was the company.  We were there with Jim's brother Scott and his wife, and It was wonderful to be in the presence of people we loved, and who we knew loved us.

And as I was sitting there - taking in the wonder of what would become my favorite meal experience in California - I thought of this verse...

"Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they with me." - Revelation 3:20

As cool and amazing as our Castaway meal was - I can't even begin to imagine how wonderful a meal with Jesus will be.

He too will welcome us as we are - not caring what we look like or what we wear.  Instead just wanting to be with us.

He too will envelope us in His light, which I am certain will outshine anything I have experienced to date, and which will definitely make all things come alive..

And He too will show us the love we were made for.  The love we yearn for and crave.

I can't wait - for what a dinner party that will be - a party where acceptance, light, and love are the courses on the menu.  Cheers!

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