Food: the Great Uniter

Staying with our Filipino relatives in Florida I find that once again I’m amazed at not just the variety of foods…like this Durian that I was shocked to see but the sheer volume of things to eat.  My pallet is somewhat experienced and many things I truly enjoy but Durian…well, I can’t get past the fact that my mind insists it tastes like a mix between rotten onions and something sickeningly sweet.  Fortunately there were many other things available to enjoy.  We had so much fun with the people that our family invited over and the pool provided great entertainment as well.  The next day we visited a food market of sorts with greens available that I’d not seen since my trips abroad.  The Filipino community is quite large but still I was amazed to see someone selling Balut.  Click the hyperlink to learn more…this picture doesn’t do it justice.  I was also pleasantly surprised to see some fresh coconuts.  I was enjoying our time so much when a man called me over and started talking to me.  He informed me that he had met former president Bush when he was selling his amazing mangoes in the past.  The president liked them so much that he named him “Mr. Mango”.  Eating one of these that he spiced up with Tabasco, Lemon and salt…I can certainly see why !  It was a flavor that was totally unique.  This man had been all over the place since coming here from Mexico…I think he’s the very symbol of capitalism working and the American dream…it’s not all about corruption and failure.  Another delightful treat that I had not seen since the Philippines was being sold by the box:  Rambutan!  It’s a delightful treat that looks pretty scary on the outside…amazing and cool in my opinion!  By the way if you didn’t follow my link about Balut above here’s a little peak at what it looks like opened up…you might guess why I will not eat this one…call it a delicacy if you want I don’t eat chicks boiled in an egg if I can help it.  Generally speaking the power of trying things, socializing and enjoying a culture has been one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever experienced in life.  Food is truly a uniter or a divider depending on you.  This applies to spiritual food as well.  God offers a wide variety of blessings.  There’s a buffet of spiritual gifts offered by God but if you choose to linger on misunderstandings of the scripture based on things about women or any variety of things you will find yourself cut out.  Bigotry is on the rise these days but for me I choose to love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength and love my neighbor as myself…against those things there is no law. Make no mistake there is still right and wrong but our decisions should be based on righteous judgments…God’s judgments not our own.