I grew up in an old farmhouse. It had a small room off the kitchen, with a back door leading outside, a place for shoes and boots, a small sink to wash up, and endless shelves. Some people call it a “mudroom,” a place where farmers got rid of the mud and muck from working outdoors. But we didn’t own the farmland surrounding the house, so mom used it as her pantry. She used the shelves to stock up on canned goods, spices, canisters of staples like flour and sugar, and even Tupperware for leftovers. Dad used the sink to wash up when he got home from work at the factory, and we kept boots on a rug off to the side– handy when winter arrived, and out of the way for the rest of the year. Mom also used some of the space as a broom closet– storing a broom and mop and a few cleaning supplies.

I grew up taking this space for granted. But, looking back, it was a luxury to have so much space and to have it filled with food. Sometimes, we would get snowed in for several days, and we never had to worry about running out of food. These days, I have a couple of drawers and a cabinet for storage, and I am so grateful when I “run out” of handy storage space, for it means that we have plenty.

I am so grateful to God for His abundance in my own little ‘pantry.’ And its contents can also prompt my pursuit of prayer and worship! Here are some examples:

• I am reminded that “I CAN do all things through Christ, who gives me strength!” (Philippians 4:13)
• I have PEAS that “passes all understanding” to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)
• Even when the FLOUR “fades and the grass withers”, the word of God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8)

• “A cheerful heart is good MEDICINE..” (Proverbs 17:22) Or maybe sometimes, a CHEERIOS heart?
• “How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than HONEY to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103)
• I am to be the “SALT of the earth” (Matthew 5:13)
• If I have the faith of a MUSTARD seed, I can move mountains! (see Matthew 17:20)
• “Be KIND to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (Kind is a brand of snack bar with nuts and fruit)

• I need to keep my heart in TUNA with scripture!
• “I was young, and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for BREAD.” (Psalm 37:25)
• God is SOUP-ernatural and sovereign over my life!
• Even our COFFEE pods remind me of the great heroes of the faith– found in HE BREWS 11!
• I am a new creation in Christ; “the old has PASTA way: behold the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• “He anoints my head with OIL, my CUP overflows” (Psalm 23:5)

And of course, I have many reasons to thank God for all the other blessings He pours out– in and out of my pantry! And often, I am reminded to share that bounty with others– both the bounty of food, and the bounty of God’s Word! Today, I pray that you have a bounty (BOUNTY, as in paper towels?) in your pantry, and that you have a bounty of scripture to encourage you and guide you through the day.