Holiday time is in full effect (I mean it’s already Christmas eve), and I’ve been thinking about plates. Yes, plates. What will be on my plate come 2017, and how will I manage such. What will be on my dinner plate this break, and how much food can I greedily enjoy?

Food being a HUGE perk of coming home for any occasion. I can always count on eating a good meal at some point during my stay. However, this break especially I’ve been focusing on my intake of both physical and spiritual meals.

Yes, you read right. Spirit-u-al meal. Another perk and truly the biggest honor of returning home is being able to fellowship with my home-church family. It means the world to be surrounded by those who are equally hungry for spiritual growth and maturation.

There’s honestly nothing like sitting at the table with a fellow foodie that enjoys a quality meal just as much as you. So back to the plates?

Although, it seems as if spiritual practices may be perceived as a “give-or-take deed” to do as needed. It should be noted that being spiritually aware is a necessity. It is imperative to develop practices that you’ll maintain daily.

Matthew 4:4 states “But Jesus told him “No! The scriptures says, man do not live by bread alone but every word that comes from the mouth of God” (NLT). The good spoken word over my life is the kind of plate I’m salivating over. It’s what sustains, better than any sort of protein I could gather. More nourishing than the greenest vegetables I could stack on my plate. These words of life are what my bones ache for.

And not just mine, but all humanity. We’re all in need of direction, faith, hope. Some joy as a side dish along with that serving of peace. Our souls are starving for life, and one that can sustain us rather than us maintain it.

So how can we diet?

Daily portions of reading, prayer, worship. Cultivating an authentic relationship with the chef, himself. Allowing him to affirm your identity and purpose. Just as any good nutritionist will tell you, it starts with one meal at a time. So may you take your days as such. One morning at a time, even narrowing down to one moment. Instead of tackling all that’s before you, learn to walk with your creator daily.

Allow the words of God to take root into your heart and manifest within your life.

May you all desire to watch what’s on your plate.After all you are what you eat.

So may your plates leave you feeling both stuffed and whole.