Day 5: The gift of Food

Genesis 1:29 “And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.”

Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

What is your favorite food? Think of the food you want for your birthday dinner or every time your mom lets you pick. Is it a delicious pile of dirt? Or a huge bowl of rocks? Or maybe some paper? NO?! What about a cold, juicy orange or a salty olive or a sweet apple or a crunchy carrot? Yes?!

God made those oranges and apples and carrots. The Bible says God made them for you! God is the Giver. He made them because just as your mom and dad want to take care of you and give you things you need God wants to give you what you need too. Your mom and dad give you food you enjoy, your favorite toy or a hug because they love you. God loved you first and He gives because He loves. He wants to provide for you! So when God was creating the earth He created plants that we can eat. He created trees that grow food. He created strawberries, broccoli, and apples for us to eat so we would not be hungry. What are some of your favorite foods that grow in the ground or on trees?

God could have made food boring. Food that didn’t look pretty, that wasn’t a bright color and that tasted like nothing. He could have made all food the color black and squishy like soggy cereal. He didn’t! He created all different foods and plants so that we could enjoy the taste and sight. He gave us a gift that we needed but made it something beautiful and interesting and appealing. We give gifts to bring people joy, to show them we love them and to help them and that is exactly how God gives gifts too!

How do you feel when someone gives you a gift? Do you feel happy? Do you get excited to see a present with bright paper wrapped up and a big bow around it? Do you shake the box to see what might be inside? Well, God wanted us to enjoy His gift of food. He wrapped it in bright colors so it was pretty to look at it. He made it different shapes and sizes so it was interesting to look at. He made it bumpy, smooth, hard and soft. He made it taste sweet or tangy or salty so we would enjoy it’s flavor. What color is your favorite fruit or vegetable? God delights in you and He wants to give you gifts to enjoy. He gave you a gift you needed so you would have energy to play, to learn, to grow and to celebrate. But He made it something to enjoy so you would enjoy the giver, the creator of the food, the creator of the plants and trees…the God who created you and gave you the gift of food!

Continue the conversation:

Make Christmas cookies and have your children give them as gifts.

Talk about the colors and textures of produce while you are at the grocery.

Let your kids pick what is for dinner.