“That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.
“Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people “ - Matthew 14:15-19
Everybody loves food. Even though food isn’t a love language (and I believe it should be), it can still communicate care and thoughtfulness. Churches tend to serve in this capacity well. When there’s a death, we step in and provide meals for the family. When there’s a fellowship with the small group, food has to be involved - otherwise, it’s an Afterglow.
Food is universal. We enjoy it regularly. It can even be a costly venture for a family to provide food throughout the month. One less meal or an added treat takes the weight off families struggling to provide adequately for their families. It says “You like food. So do I! Let’s share!”
But, providing a full-course meal or your Aunt Edna’s jello mold doesn’t have to be the only way food is used to bless someone. Grabbing two drinks instead of one before you hit the office also works too. Having candy for kids at church makes you a superhero (to the kids, not their parents). Secretly sticking your wife’s favorite snack in her purse is a winning move.
The whole point of using food to care for others is that it becomes a common denominator among people. If you had no other topic to share with another person, you can always talk about food - what you like, where’s the best food places, and even your favorite food experiences. It’s a shared experience where two people can hone in on the other’s preferences and say “This food reminded me of you”.
TRY IT: Find out what a co-worker’s favorite snack is and drop it off on their desk or vehicle with a note that says “Do not share!”
