Lick the Platter Clean

When I was a girl, and I had eaten something that was particularly good to me, maybe a bowl of ice cream or a piece of apple pie, and I wanted to get every bit of taste out of it that I could, I would put bowl or plate to my mouth and lick the dish clean. Whatever I had partaken of was so good that I simply was not ready to let go until I had gotten every last drop of it. I probably attacked that dish and its remains as though I would never get another taste of ice cream or apple or lemon meringue pie or whatever again! Eat it up. Eat it all. Savor it. Enjoy it. 'Til the last drop. Then...'til the platter's clean. Terms we typically associate with a good meal...food for our bodies...food that has been prepared for our nourishment and enjoyment by loving hands. It is the utmost compliment to the cook when lick it clean. But what about a new day...lovingly, carefully, joyfully given? What if we should approach each new day with the determination to get every good thing possible out of it? What if we approached it as if it were that cherished and delectable dish that we will consume ever so carefully, making sure not to miss a single morsel of it because it is so precious and delicious that we simply will not give up a bite of it, cherishing it as though we will never get another bite? Eat it up. Eat it all. Savor it. Enjoy it. 'Til the last drop. Then...'til the platter's clean. It is the utmost compliment to our Creator when you "lick it clean." Let us, therefore, eat heartily, taking care not to miss a crumb of each day, even though the menu of the day may not be to our best liking. The gift is in being given the day__one like no other...one you'll never see or taste again...one that some were not given. Partake of it as such. Live it to the full. Get every morsel you can out of it. Enjoy it thoroughly, and then, if you dare, lick the platter clean. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118:24)

Kathy H. Culmer

St. James Episcopal Church - Houston