“A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.” (Proverbs 15:17)

When I read this proverb it seemed to jump off the page at me as profound wisdom in the midst of tough economic times.

Though Albania hasn’t been hit in such dramatic ways (yet) as the U.S. and other countries, generally speaking, soup is more common than steak on Albanian tables.

And Albania will begin to feel the painful effects of the world economic crisis as Albanian immigrants living in other countries lose their jobs and are no longer able to send money back to their families in Albania.

As I prepare soups and stews more often than steak dinners, I’m so glad that it is with some I love! I would much prefer dining on soup with TCLH any day than having a tasty mouth-watering steak with someone I hated or didn’t enjoy being around.

Soup is good for your soul, especially when you’re sharing it with someone you love and adore.

A crisis like the current recession provides lots of opportunities to reflect on what is most important in life and thank God for His precious gifts– relationships with loved ones, quality time together, laughter, sharing burdens with a dear friend, etc.

How have your meals changed in form or substance over the past year? What wisdom or perspective can you offer others?

Photos by: 1. Steve Woods 2. Vito Covalucci