I am no cook and while I do have a plethora of recipes in my cabinet, I don't have a favorite.  Being a "recovering" compulsive/comfort/emotional eater, I have a hard time viewing "comfort food" as a good thing, let alone beautiful.  But today is Valentine's Day and so, although my "recipe" may be unconventional, I do have a story to go with it.

As most of my readers already know, we were not granted the adventure of raising our first child.  That loss came only about a month and a half before our second married valentines day.  We were still grieving in our own ways and looking for times to reconnect in the midst of it all.  I recently separated from the Air Force and Erik was spending long hours at work and school.  Incidentally, our salary was cut in half when I left the military.  So, it would seem to most that we didn't have a whole lot to be celebrating on that valentine's day.  We knew we couldn't outdo the year before (we went on a cruise) but we wanted it to be special anyway.  After all, we did still have each other.

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Matthew 19:6

We drove around town that night searching for a restaurant that didn't have a ridiculous wait.  We couldn't find one.  So, we decide to drive to another town and hope for the best.  Erik knew of a nice place in the other town and thought it would be just perfect.  Of course, we didn't count on it being booked solid.  It's now nine o'clock, our tummies are growling and we are just driving aimlessly, far from base.  Just over the hill we see a bright red,  "POPEYES" sign.  I begin to laugh as I suggest that we just go there.  Erik protested at first, but I reassured him that it was really ok.  Yes, we were far too dressed up and looked completely out of place.  We laughed and laughed that night imagining our friends' reactions when we told them we got dressed up and drove all that way to eat at Popeyes. 

It was a wonderful valentines and is still one of my favorite memories.  We ate that deep fried chicken and biscuits and, while it relieved the rumbling in our stomachs, the company is what proved comforting.   It didn't matter what the atmosphere was or where the food came from.  The restaurant was practically empty and for a short period of time we weren't concerned with sorrow or work or finances or school or the uncertain future.  We thought the "perfect" place with the "perfect" food would make our date special when what we needed was simple, ordinary and unexpected.

Isn't our walk with the Lord much like that?  We go about life looking for the perfect Bible study book, the right prayer, the end-all, beat-all of pastors, the next ministry opportunity, another place to "serve"... when what we need to comfort us is staring us right in the face...Jesus, in all His simple splendor just waiting with open arms to give us the unexpected joy of a relationship with Him.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6

My comfort cannot be found in food, although I do look there quite often (as my weight would attest).  Sometimes it can't even be found in Erik, he is human after all despite my often ridiculous expectations.  People, food, places, things - they will be a constant let down if we put pressure on them to deliver "God-like" results.  The only true comfort food is that which God gives us through our Lord, Jesus Christ.