Giving thanks for our meals

In the Netherlands, we are used to give thanks for our meals by means of a common prayer. Translated in English, it states: ' 'Although many people are hungry, You gave us a bountiful meal'. In my childhood, I did not understand those words and I often said them without paying attention to what I said. But after I visited Malawi, those words took on a different meaning to me.

In the Netherlands, we live in abundance. A week ago, it was the 'week against the waste of food'. A quarter of the food in the Netherlands is wasted, with serious negative consequences, also for the environment. It is good that different campaignes are started to reduce the food waste. But it still is such a contrast when compared to the situation in Malawi. This country is so dependent on the harvest. And even in times of good harvest, the people are still hungry just before the season of harvest. Thankfully, there is For a Change in Malawi, an organisation which helps our hungry brothers and sisters.

Besides food, there are a lot of other things that are not self-evident in Malawi, which we do have in the rich Western world. We even take them for granted. Examples are good education, proper health-care, and a good infrastructure. The Foundation also helps to develop those areas and helps to fight poverty step by step.

It is time for some self-reflection. How do I live my rich Western life? Can I reduce my own living standard, so I can give away more? And how normal is it to me, that even in times of lock-down due to corona, schools continue using an online curriculum in only a week? And that the ambulance arrives only 15 minutes after I called? And that I can use a luxurious train with even a WiFi connection? Or that I can drive my car on a road without humps and bumps? There are a lot of reasons to be thankful for!

The Dutch prayer continues: 'Please give us that our soul does not cling to this fleeting life'. I am wondering: Is this prayer more necessary when you live in rich circumstances, compared to living in poor circumstances and you do not know if there will be any food the next day? I don't know. One thing is for sure: for both the rich Western and the poor African people, there is the Bread of Life, which we need to receive eternal life with Him.