A particularly meaningful expression of my thoughts is food: cooking it, baking it, eating it.

Celebrating the birth of a baby? Let me bake you something as sweet as your little one is. Mourning the loss of a loved one? Let me offer some comfort and ease your burden by cooking you a meal. Just living life? Come over, share it with me— over dinner (and dessert!), of course.

Acts 2:46 says, “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”

Gathering at the table, breaking bread - there’s magic in that. Food, it just brings people together not only in physical proximity around the table, but also in fellowship - in a way that grows relationships in joy, spirit, and sincerity.

Joining together with others gives the opportunity for us to be an encouragement and a testament to the love of God.

Maybe it means inviting the neighbor who moved in down the street or new family at church over for a meal or the friend who is hurting. Maybe it means sending a thoughtful note with your favorite recipe attached to those you can’t be close enough to cook for yourself. Maybe it simply means taking time to cook/bake/eat with the people around you.

Whatever it means to you, just do it your way. There are no rules. No fancy meals or table settings required if that's not your thing. Make a meal and invite others and watch your relationships grow.