Cravings

Psalm 78:23-29 (NRSV)
Manna rains down

Yet he commanded the skies above,
and opened the doors of heaven;
he rained down on them manna to eat,
and gave them the grain of heaven.
Mortals ate of the bread of angels;
he sent them food in abundance.
He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
he rained flesh upon them like dust,
winged birds like the sand of the seas;
he let them fall within their camp,
all around their dwellings.
And they ate and were well filled,
for he gave them what they craved. 

 Think for a moment about what it means to "crave".  People tell stories of husbands sent out at 3 am for vanilla ice cream and dill pickles because the pregnant wife has a "craving" for something unusual. 

It seems that cravings go deeper than preferences or favorite foods.  A craving may catch you by surprise.  It may be something that is never on your menu or that you normally taste in tidbits.  Suddenly you have a nearly uncontrollable and unanticipated desire for this -- and it seems that you simply can't get enough of it. 

The psalmist speaks of God's ability to nourish us in spaces we didn't know existed, with sustenance that surpasses any desire we may express. 

This weekend, be on the lookout for cravings -- and trust that in God's presence you will be well filled with what you crave.