How a Children’s Story Taught Me to See God Glory in Breakfast
1 Corinthians 10:31 and Princess and the Curdie
Life is full of small, ordinary moments that we often overlook. Yet, when we see them through the eyes of faith, even the simplest things become opportunities to glorify God. One of the ways I’m reminded of this truth is through reading. Reading is a blessing. Reading is a blessing. Books often have a way of sneaking truth into our souls when we least expect it. Recently, I picked up The Princess and the Curdie by George MacDonald. MacDonald was a nineteenth-century pastor and author, and one of the greatest inspirations for literary giants like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
Without getting too far into the details of the book, the main character, Curdie, begins the story discouraged and simply drifting through life. He then encounters the “great-grandmother,” an angelic figure who gives him encouragement and a task. In their conversation, one of her statements struck me deeply:
“Remember, then, that whoever does not mean good is always in danger of harm. But I try to give everybody fair play; and those that are in the wrong are in far more need of it always than those who are in the right: they can afford to do without it. Therefore I say for you that when you shot that arrow you did not know what a pigeon is. Now that you do know, you are sorry. It is very dangerous to do things you don't know about.”
“‘But, please, ma'am—I don't mean to be rude or to contradict you,’ said Curdie, ‘but if a body was never to do anything but what he knew to be good, he would have to live half his time doing nothing.’
“‘There you are much mistaken,’ said the old quavering voice. ‘How little you must have thought! Why, you don't seem even to know the good of the things you are constantly doing. Now don't mistake me. I don't mean you are good for doing them. It is a good thing to eat your breakfast, but you don't fancy it's very good of you to do it. The thing is good, not you.’”
That exchange is profound. It reminded me of Paul’s encouragement in 1 Corinthians 10:31:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
There is nothing neutral in this life. Every moment is either an opportunity to glorify God or to ignore Him. Every action is either participation in good or in evil. This way of seeing the world directly contradicts the agnostic or “gray” worldview that many Christians, often unknowingly, have adopted.
This reframing enables us to fight sin by helping us ask the simple questions:
Is this a good I am doing?
Is this a good I am receiving?
If yes—how can I praise God?
If no—pray that God would help me flee and run into His goodness.
Why should we pray before a meal? Because food is not “just food.” It is a gift from God, an opportunity to give thanks, and a moment to glorify Him. From the cool sip of water, to the warmth of a meal, to the clean clothes we put on every morning—all of these are daily reminders of God’s generosity and care. As James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”
MacDonald’s story shows that the “good” is often right before us, woven into the ordinary. We don’t have to wait for some grand calling to glorify God. We glorify Him when we do what is good, even in the smallest things, and recognize that the goodness belongs to Him. The question is not, “Is this neutral?” but “How does this glorify Christ?”
Reading a children’s story reminded me that even something as simple as eating breakfast or drinking water is a holy opportunity. Life is not divided into sacred and secular, but into what glorifies God and what does not. The call for us is to see the world as it truly is—charged with the goodness of God—and to live awake to that reality.