“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.”
Psalm 100:1-2

Cooking and cleaning up afterwards can be such a chore, especially when one does it every day. In our home, I cook for dinner and the leftovers become the next day’s lunch. I usually don’t prepare breakfast — it is the one meal that my husband prepares for both of us, and the children take care of themselves.

But for dinner I often ask, “What will I serve tonight?” I don’t plan a menu for the week. We purchase almost the same items at the grocery store and at the farmer’s market. It could vary depending on the season and the availability and freshness of produce. I may somewhat have an idea of what to cook for the week, which would not necessarily materialize.

Yet, as I cook, I know what the children love. And I try to vary what I serve to ensure they don’t get tired of the same meal over and over. And when I prepare something that I haven’t done for quite some time, and I see the excitement in their faces, that brings me so much joy.

I have grateful children. After we say grace, they express their thanks for my preparation of a meal. From time to time, I even get hugs. That touches my heart. And as I clear the table, wash the dishes, and scrub the pots and pans, I thank the LORD for dinner. I praise Him for another meal that the family enjoyed, and for His continued provision. Everything we have is on account of His love for us.

In the home I grew up in, my Mom had “A Kitchen Prayer” by Klara Munkres printed on a decorative plate. It only had the first and last verses (as shown here), which I had come to memorize. It has now become my prayer when I work in the kitchen — a reminder that it is my act of service to the LORD.

A Kitchen Prayer
by Klara Munkres
Lord of all pots and pans and things
Since I’ve not time to be
A saint by doing lovely things or
Watching late with Thee
Or dreaming in the dawn light or
Storming Heaven’s gates
Make me a saint by getting meals and
Washing up the plates.

…

Warm all the kitchen with Thy love,
And light it with Thy peace
Forgive me all my worrying and make
My grumbling cease.
Thou who didst love to give men food,
In room or by the sea
Accept this service that I do,
I do it unto Thee.