Nourishing Faith Made Easy

Carol Bannon recalls how leading our families to experience God’s blessings in all moments of their life is a journey in tasting and seeing, seeing and then believing. 

Most, if not all of us, have dedicated hours at some point to crafting a special dish or dessert for our families, eager for them to savor new foods and flavors, and aiming to make these culinary adventures exciting and enjoyable! 

Ninjas for dinner tonight! 

One unforgettable new food experience stands out in my memory: when my son, now grown, was just seven years old. His diet then consisted solely of peanut butter and fluff sandwiches — minus the crust — and noodles sprinkled with parmesan cheese. But his fascination with Ninja Turtle figurines inspired me to spend an entire day preparing "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Soup"! That evening, as I called everyone to the dinner table, I made a grand spectacle, singing the TMNT theme song while serving soup into individual bowls. I even strategically placed his cherished figurines on the table, eagerly anticipating his reaction. However, upon discovering the contents of his bowl, his response was quite the opposite of what I had hoped: He bolted from the table.  

My husband had warned me that renaming my meatless Split Pea Soup wouldn't work, but I was determined to try. 

Old ways versus new ways 

Unlike my mother, who didn't emphasize visual appeal when introducing new dishes and took great offense if any of us, including our dad, made jokes or laughed at the food she served, I take a different approach. I find joy in making dishes visually enticing and showcasing their nutritional benefits and flavors before encouraging a taste. This strategy has proven successful with creations like the gluten-free, dairy-free chocolate pretzel pie. In our household, seeing comes before tasting!  

It's also a lesson we work hard to impart to our children as they navigate new experiences and decisions. Which one of us has not told our children the well-worn adage: "look before you leap"?   

Faith will keep you strong! 

Motherhood demands resilience — perseverance despite initial and oftentimes repeated setbacks. Just as God consistently provides us with the strength we need in life, we persist in our efforts, working hard to foster growth and understanding through all the varied experiences in our children’s life. And then a memorable reflection and variation on "look before you leap" was presented during a recent homily. My priest opened his sermon by singing the refrain to the hymn "Taste and See": 

Taste and then see … the opposite of my standard method of see and then taste. His words caught me off guard but then resonated. He was highlighting the importance of experiencing God's goodness firsthand before fully understanding it. This mirrors the Eucharist's significance. God offers Himself, His Body, first to us, and then opens our hearts to His grace, often contrary to what we see or expect. We taste, and only then are our eyes opened to all of His goodness. 

True faith, as Hebrews 11:1 teaches, is the “the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen." Our hope IS in the Lord Jesus. The Jews hoped for that which we have:  the Lord present in the Eucharist. We cannot actually see Him in a podcast or on a YouTube video guiding us in life, but we know He is with us because we taste and then we see. We know he is guiding our family's journey and enriching our lives beyond mere sight. 

In nurturing our children, we strive to instill this faith, encouraging them to taste and embrace God's blessings, even if initial reactions are hesitant. Resilience and patience are key; my own son, despite his early aversion to Green Pea Soup, continues to challenge assumptions and grow in understanding. With faith as our guide, we plant the seeds of belief, fostering a legacy of spiritual growth and discovery for generations to come. 

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Copyright 2024 Carol Sbordon Bannon
Images: (top, center) Copyright 2024 Carol Sbordon Bannon, all rights reserved; (bottom) Canva