“She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household…” — Proverbs 31:15

By 9:00 a.m. yesterday, my kitchen counters were already full, even if my own energy was running on low. I had been up since 4:30 a.m., and life has just been piling and piling up—stress, lack of sleep, and fitting in a midday trip to pick up Odessa for her half day of school. On top of that, it was a day full of sweet visitors: my neighbor stopped in to drop off extra copies of Open Windows for friends and stay to chat, Kevin came home with his brother Mike who is staying with us for the weekend, and my sister dropped by in the afternoon. Sleep has been nonexistent. Yet in the middle of that exhaustion, looking at those counters, I see pure abundance and blessing. This space was alive with the deliberate, quiet work of nourishing the people I love.

Looking at the kitchen, you can see the two loaves of bread that were ready early; one magnificent sourdough on the board, and another resting nearby, both waiting to be broken by family. A crock pot simmers a rich Spanish chicken stew, the aroma already promising warmth and a deep, communal comfort.
And though not visible in this snapshot, this space was defined by two other important details of that day. My Instant Pot came out later—a tool of modern efficiency brought out specifically to steam the fluffy brown rice over which I would serve that hearty stew. And a third loaf of yeast bread was baked later in the day, adding to the abundance that would fill the weekend. These elements, though off-camera, are essential parts of this room’s purpose.

The past few weeks have been  exhausting. I was able to go to bed at 9:30 last night and didn’t get up until 7:00 this morning. It worked; I finally feel rested.

I don’t say all of that to complain. I say it because in every mess, every crumb, and every simmer, I see God’s rich blessings.

That kitchen is where love begins. This kitchen—with its single coffee pot ready for the morning, its slow simmers, and its ready rice cookers—is where I give of myself. It is a space where even when I am tired, a deeply restful, replenishing love is baked, brewed, and stewed. This is how I make sure my extremely full house is not just fed, but cherished.