Psalm 23 for the Errant Cook

The Lord is the Master Chef who both guides my attempts and keeps my kitchen from complete catastrophe--
I shall not need more than He provides.
He makes me pause between culinary experiments,
causes me to consider cooking some "safe" foods
and restores my belief in my God-given skills after one of my ideas fails to live up to my hopes for it;
He reminds me that cookbooks and tried-and-true recipes exist for a reason.
Even when I proceed to go where Iron Chefs would fear to tread,
I will not worry over the eventual outcome,
for He makes sure enough of the food is edible enough to sustain us.
Knowing what bounty and mouthwatering delights come from Him strengthens and encourages me to try again.
And on those occasions when my under- or overcooked or burnt food offerings are in vain,
He always shows me what I can fix my family in its place
and I give thanks gratefully for His provision.
Doubtless, He will continue to make sure my family eats well and often and I will continue to cook as unto Him
until the day He mercifully takes me Home.


written on 6/30/13 (while baking a loaf of bread in the oven-- on a 90 degree day-- that had spilled over the sides in the bread machine and caused smoke to pour out, which threatened to set off the smoke alarms... I'd unadvisedly lifted the lid during the rising period in order to spray the inside surface that was being pushed up by overeager dough)