At the age of 10, our family moved to a tiny little town in north central Iowa. Just about all the residents were of Scandinavian or Germanic heritage. One of the things I remember best were the meals. When we had a chance to dine at a smorgasbord, we knew we were close to heaven. A “smorgasbord” was a meal laid out similar to our present day buffets. The word is Norwegian and means “long table”. Such a variety of foods! I always wished I had more room!

Here in our community, we have many buffet-style restaurants. One of our favorites features Chinese food. Who could know how many ways there are to fix chicken? (grin) On the dessert table, my favorite is bananas kinda floating in a lovely strawberry sauce. Pretty good stuff!

Buffets present a special challenge, however. It is almost impossible for most people to eat at a buffet and not find it difficult to waddle out the door after paying the bill. Nearly everybody eats far more than they would at a restaurant that serves a fixed amount of food (often, still too much). Why do most of us go overboard at a buffet? Well, the food is there, in plain sight, and not guarded by someone with a shotgun. Also, it usually tastes very good. Our eyes are often bigger than our stomachs. However, I think there’s another factor here. Most of us want to get our money’s worth! We want to consume enough food so that when we walk out that exit door, we can hold our head up high and feel like we beat the system! I guess it’s kinda like gambling at Las Vegas. Not many people really beat the house or the casinos wouldn’t be in business!

We don’t go to buffets often. Last Sunday, however, we ate Chinese. I was proud of the amount of restraint we exercised. We were both able to get out the door with a bit of self-respect left! (grin)

This buffet business made me think about other things. Isn’t life a lot like a buffet? Whatever age we happen to be, Lord willing, we have some life ahead of us. I have a shirttail cousin in his early 90’s. He is constantly working on a ten year plan for the next decade of his life. Go for it, Pappy!

I often think of our newest granddaughter, Milena. She’s the one who instantly made the will because she had the good sense to be born on my birthday, February 15 this year. She has a good opportunity to live in three different centuries. When we look at the changes that have taken place in the lives of those born around the turn of the 19th century, we can hardly imagine the kind of life she’s going to live!

For whatever period of years we have left, as we see it stretching out before us, what do we see? Tables full of blessings, challenges, opportunities to serve others and enrich their lives? Or, do we see little or nothing on the tables.

Life can be full for us. We can definitely load up on all things God has provided for us. Can we get our money’s worth sitting at God’s buffet? You tell me! We can also look at the enormous provisions on God’s table and still starve to death spiritually by not pulling up to the table and participating in His feast. Your choice!

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