A good meal goes a long way
It has been a week! I shared yesterday that I have been in a lot of pain and trying to find a way to get relief. I have had pity party after pity party and been beyond frustrated. Today I finally got some relief thanks to calling in a help line with a trusted friend and physical therapist. I had a heartwarming laugh when my mom showed up at the docs after stalking me and being upset that I drove myself (by the way, she insisted she drive me home-always a mom!) The day got even better when I came home to an amazing meal being prepared. I was told to go rest and dinner would be ready at 6. Boy was dinner ready at 6. The challenge I have living in my home is that Rob is such an amazing cook that restaurants pale in comparison. Tonight was supposed to be date night at a steak house, but with my back, we knew it would not be a comfortable night. Instead, Rob brought surf and turf to me at home. It made the perfect ending to a very hard week. Moms are usually the care givers in the family and when mom goes down, it feels like the whole household is disrupted. My suffering means we all suffer-whether I intend it or not. This week, as much as it was painful, was a precious gift of forcing me to pause, to rest, and to allow myself to be cared for versus me caring for others. My family was all hands on deck, and I didn’t have to ask. Instead of getting frustrated at my lack of abilities, I felt surrounded in love. And then 6 o’clock came and I sat down to a spectacular meal and instead of cleaning the kitchen afterwards, I was sent to bed to rest. This week I was surrounded by people valued my well being over self. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4, NIV)
Yesterday, we had a small gathering at our house with dear friends and their kids. The laughter shared around a good meal still echoes in my house today. These kids have grown up together, and in the near future, they will be far apart. As I watched them last night I knew distance would not limit these friendships built through the years. The moms and I enjoyed dinner and shared stories through the years and how much our children have grown yet stayed the same. At the end, I brought out a birthday cake since one of them had a birthday this week. Something simple, just a small recognition for a special day (even if it was a day late). She wrote me today sending another special thanks and shared that “it’s things like that make people feel special”. A good meal goes a long way. Have you ever had someone drop off some cookies or an unexpected food surprise and it completely changed your day? Have you ever sat with co-workers at lunch and the stress and anxiety of work disappear as you broke bread together and realized you are not alone in the stress? Food has a way to bring people together, to heal the hurts, to make you feel special, and to bring a smile.
I think back through the years when food has lifted my spirits. It is definitely the traditional chocolate covered strawberries the girls give me for every special holiday. From toddlers they would sneak into the kitchen and pick the best strawberries to dip in my favorite chocolate. Rob also make amazing beef wellingtons that are an annual treat on our Anniversary. They are unmatched. I smile as I think of our brinners and midnight trips to the kitchen with the girls making BLTs because what else would you eat at midnight? Food is a special gift and one meant to be shared.
Today, I pray that you take time to look at food in a different way. I pray you pause and remember the moments when food has brought people together, when it has been healing, and when it has brought you or those around you a smile.
I pray these words spoke to you, please share with a friend. Don't miss a blog post, subscribe to my web page.
