The Sustenance of Simple Things

“Happy belated birthday!” my dear friend said as she handed me a birthday gift. “It’s just the joy of simple things.”

When I opened her gift, this is what I found: a bottle of red wine, a dark chocolate bar, and a cookbook.

Now you know everything about me.

My friend knew these are indeed my simple joys. What she didn’t know when she gave them to me is that my husband was out of town for work and that earlier that day my heart ached and mouth went dry trying to speak encouraging words to someone dear to me who was in a dark place.

Everyone has something, and often the simple things we do have more meaning than we ever think they could.

To be thought of, to be known, to be loved, to be remembered—these simple things are really not so simple at all.

My husband forwarded me an email from a woman he met on a plane during one of his work trips.

In the email she wrote: “I just want to thank you for talking with me that day and for your prayers, and I want to let you know that I formally came into the Catholic Church.” She attached a reflection she wrote for her church’s newsletter and picture of her being confirmed.

A simple conversation on a plane, a few email exchanges, and prayers offered for a stranger. These simple things are really not so simple at all.

Jesus said:

To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade. (Mark 4:30-32)

We are mustard seeds. We are small; simply individuals in this big world with its tremendous history.

But God chooses the small to make his home.

He waters us, pours rays of sun upon us, stirs up his life within us to make us grow.

And all we need to do is say, “Yes, Lord.”

Yes, Lord, I trust you. Yes, Lord, speak to me and let me listen. Yes, Lord, I will do small things in love. Yes, Lord, I have hope that you will make your kingdom come in me and in the world. Yes, Lord.

We are mustard seeds, and we are also the trees. Ours are the branches in which people find their rest. Ours are the branches in which others find truth spoken in love, calm in the storm, or a simple sustenance for a moment in the day.

Yes, Lord.

Pick up a copy of my book, The Restless Grain, which ends with Jesus at the Last Supper! There’s also an unleavened bread recipe at the back of the book to bring the Last Supper to life in a hands-on way.