I’m a firm believer that most people need “therapy” at some point in their lives.

Whether you’ve struggled to overcome the dysfunction of your childhood, been subjected to unimaginable atrocities or found yourself in a difficult marriage, you’ve most likely discovered that finding the courage to navigate the minefield of your soul requires help from the outside.

Many of you, like myself, have found help through your Christian walk. Maybe those soul issues are the reason you walked down to that altar one Sunday morning. Or maybe, you grew up in church and, at some point you began to believe God’s promises for yourself.

Promises like 2 Corinthians 5:17, ”Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

And Ephesians 2:10, ”For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

These truths have secured you deeply to Christ. The foundation of your faith is strong. It has helped you forgive yourself and others. It has helped you break free of the anger, shame, fear or rejection that plagued your self-driven life. So what is the struggle then? Why do we still feel sad, anxious and lonely when God has been so good to us?

I think it boils down to a lack of good old-fashioned kitchen therapy.

: the engaging of deep, soulful communication around a kitchen table with a trusted friend that results in a reduction of loneliness and anxiety thus allowing insight and clarity to help individuals heal from emotional impairment.

Yes, this is MY definition; you will not find it in the dictionary.

And, if you Google “kitchen therapy” you will find a link to a home goods store in British Columbia and an article in Psychology Today about cooking as part of mental well-being.

Cooking aside, I believe meaningful conversation (preferably over a steaming hot coffee with cream) across the kitchen table is a tool we’ve lost. Possibly it’s just been dulled by all the buzzing, beeping and ringing of our smartphones reminding us to take our vitamins, updating us on how long it will take to get to our appointment with the current traffic situation, and notifying us that JLo wore a white bikini in Italy on her honeymoon. Whew! Sure glad I didn’t miss that notification.

Seriously, though, we need to bring back kitchen therapy. Our souls need it.

So, call a friend and invite them over for coffee. Or tea. Tell them you’ll pick up muffins from Costco. Or go all fancy and make a coffee cake. If you don’t have a kitchen table (or a kitchen of your own), offer to buy them coffee at your favorite coffee shop with comfy chairs you can sit in for hours.

Not a morning person? The idea is interchangeable across the culinary spectrum. Invite them to meet you for dinner at your favorite BBQ, sushi or burger joint. Or pack up a picnic lunch and invite them and the kids to an afternoon at the park.

The point is that you create space to connect so heartfelt conversation can happen. Conversation that digs deep into who you, and they, really are. Words rich with intention that press past small talk and social niceties to unveil true feelings and highlight the quirks and qualities resonating soul deep. “Someone’s thoughts may be as deep as the ocean, but if you are smart, you will discover them.” Proverbs 20:5 CEV

“Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence.”

Proverbs 27:9 TPT