in God's kitchen.

as i dressed for brunch on this chilly sunday morning, i found myself wondering if i should be going to church instead. what was, for many years of my teenage and young adult life, a sunday morning ritual is now only a memory, much like the college dining hall or free time on weekends. too busy for God - that's me! i have far too much homework to sit in a pew and learn all morning.

but i'm not too busy to have brunch with my friends. it's a priority. it's soul food -- kinda like church used to be. has brunch replaced church? or are they actually quite similar?

i dress pretty much the same for brunch as i dress for church. button-down shirt and a cute sweater. the only difference is that i put on well-fitted jeans this morning, rather than slacks.

brunch is where we boys and girls go to confess what we did the night before, much like we used to do at church. "...but i really like him, so i don't feel guilty!"

also, both brunch and church end in "ch." okay, now it's becoming a stretch.

but i believe that God can be found not only before an altar, but anywhere we seek Him. in a heartfelt discussion between friends. on the train with you as you randomly chat with a very sweet old lady who's wearing too much perfume. in a late-night, emotional discussion with a friend who is suddenly alone after years in a relationship. and God can also be with us at brunch, in a bustling little cafe, over cafe au lait and a calorie-packed order of home fries. mmmmmm potatoes.

if you didn't go to brunch this weekend, don't feel guilty. God and breakfast burritos will still be there for you when you're ready to sit down and re-center with a little quiet time or a much-needed reunion with your closest friends.



wow, i totally feel better now about not going to church this morning!