Marlene’s Meditations

The Value of a Lunch Box

By Marlene Houk

Burke County 

Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Rushing down the short flight of steps, the seven-year-old scampered into the kitchen where his mom was packing lunch. “Mom,” he asked, “can I take dad’s lunch box today?” Glancing down, his mom noticed the battered and dented box hanging from his thumb. “Sure,” she said. “Dad liked that box and used it often.”

My niece waited patiently in the pick-up line at school that afternoon and watched her son emerge, swinging the box. A teacher approached. “Hi. He loved opening his Star Wars lunch box and talking about it to his friends today. Did you know that’s a valuable antique? You could sell it for as much as $ 3,000.00. You might want to keep it in a safe place.”

Sometimes, we realize the value of common objects such as my niece did years ago when her young son wanted to play with his dad’s favorite lunch box. A recent lunch with my friend reminded me of this story. As the waitress asked if we needed a to-go box, the Holy Spirit nudged me. Our delicious meal and satisfying visit with a few tasty morsels packed in our to-go box reminded me of a spiritual message.

When we feast on God’s Word and enjoy the soul-satisfying pleasure of His presence, we have the privilege of taking those blessings into the day with us. The Holy Spirit tucks them lovingly in to the priceless and extremely valuable lunchbox of our heart for soul-snacking throughout the day. As we share with others throughout the day from the abundance of God’s table, the rich nutrients from our time with the Lord is multiplied much like  John’s story of the lad with five loaves and two fishes (John 6:9-14). Finally, we can eat the dessert of His promises, fulfilling our palette for the sweetness of His love toward us! The Bible relates our spiritual feasting on His Word to food in the Bible, and the analogy comes to life as we enjoy an incredible array of physical foods today.

Pack into the lunch box of your heart today the meaty doctrines of the Bible, the nutrition-packed vegetables of the stories that are full of the messages to make our spiritual bones and muscles strong for His glory. Drink the Living Water and discover His refreshing sweetness. And, don’t forget to satisfy your sweet tooth with the passages that are filled with His love and promises.

Warman’s Lunch Box Field Guide is a 514-page book that lists the value of lunch boxes. The 2008 edition lists this Star Trek lunch box with thermos in mint condition as $ 3,000. Sometimes, we don’t know the value of something so common that we don’t see it anymore. While you’re searching for those old lunch boxes at the back of the toy bin from 50 years ago, search your heart. And follow the command of Proverbs 4:23 to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Protect the lunch box of your heart so that it can be filled with delights from His Word to nourish and strengthen you forever! Share the goodies in your spiritual lunch box with others so they can pass the goodness along. Enjoy the lunch that the Holy Spirit has provided for you today packed into the priceless lunchbox of your heart!