People and Places
Soup and Cornbread....The Power of a Positive Word
A few years ago, I was wearing several hats and spinning several plates at once. I was a wife, parenting two teenagers, being there for my mom and supporting my husband in ministry.
After awhile, all those hats got pretty heavy and I guess I was beginning to show the strain.
We got to church one Sunday morning after a particularly difficult week. Without me saying a word, a sweet friend noticed I was having a hard time. What she did next is something I have never forgotten. She simply said, "You guys are coming to our house for lunch." I, of course, protested, "Oh no, we couldn't impose." She simply repeated, "You guys are coming to our house for lunch."
After the service we all loaded up and drove to their house. Clearly, she had not planned ahead for company that day. When she left home that morning she made lunch preparations for her family.
From the time I arrived, I just felt enveloped in peace. There was a large pot of soup simmering and cornbread was soon baking in the oven. The ambiance of a candle glowing added to the warmth of good food and good friends.
As I enjoyed that simple, profound meal I began to feel the stress and strain just melt away----and after a few hours, I felt refreshed and renewed by that brief respite, and I gained the strength I needed to "fight another day"
.
Obviously, I will never forget that day or that meal. The sweet friendship that offered it to me has only grown deeper and sweeter over the years.
Having benefitted so greatly from this gesture I have to think of some "What Ifs?" What if my friend had just been too preoccupied to notice my need that day? What if she talked herself out of offering the invitation because her house was not totally "company ready"? What if she and her family had planned a quiet, family afternoon? What if I had been less willing to be vulnerable and admit I needed encouragement that day?
Soup, cornbread, candle, care----a pretty simple recipe for a meal I will never forget. Keep your eyes and ears open, someone may need you today.
Mrs. Jenks- A Smile, A Song and A Quirky Little Hat
Everyone should have a precious character like Mrs. Jenks in their lives. We met her when we went to a ministry position in a small town in Georgia. Her life had not been easy, she had known deep, tragic loss, yet she was one of the happiest people you would ever meet. She always had a sweet smile and often wore a quirky little hat. She didn’t have a lot of money and lived in a small, simple house, yet the amazing contributions she made to our life were priceless. They have stayed with me and will never be forgotten. Some of the reminders are tangible like the sweet, soft flannel baby blanket she pieced together when our first son was born. The gift of that blanket from her very limited resources, and the time and love in every stitch have made it a treasure I have kept all these years. Mrs. Jenks also like to show love in another special way! When your birthday came around, the phone would ring and when you answered you would hear this scratchy little voice wishing you a Happy Birthday in song! You see, the things we are remembered for probably will not be profound–more likely it will be a collection of small things that made a difference to someone–a patchwork of words, a song, a smile and just maybe a quirky little hat.