Meals are Manna to the Soul

In elementary school my mom used to make my lunch every day. She would write little notes on my napkins and sometimes make little drawings. I would pull out my napkin at lunch time expectantly and grin. I got the message. My mom cared that my day went well. It was different once I started packing my own lunch or when I bought lunch. There was no love coming from the cafeteria lady.


When Hubby and I lived in CA we drove hours to visit many of his family members in Arizona, Nevada, and the central CA coast. Before we returned home his grandmother, mom, or aunt would load us up with drinks and some snacks. Now, it wasn't because we were in a hurry to get home and needed to avoid stopping, or that we were on our last dime to buy food, but it was because they wanted to show us that they cared for us and that we had a good return trip home.


Much of the time I taught in Fairfax County Schools the parent support was amazing. Parents made meals for me after Back to School Night and sent me home with meals the last days of school. During teacher appreciation week they would set a special tablecloth and flowers during my lunch time and bring in meals from my favorite restaurants. It wasn't because I couldn't fend for food. The sentiment was that they wanted to honor me and my hard work.


I cannot say enough about meals with my friends in VA. When Hubby would travel friends would invite me for meals so I would not eat alone. If other husbands were traveling, some of us wives shared a meal. And then there were those friends that would have Hubby and me over for a meal, just because. We ate out a lot with friends, too. Probably way too much. I know many of you can name our favorite restaurants. There is just something about experiencing a good meal out with good friends. Still some of the most bittersweet meals we shared were those final goodbye meals before we moved. Sharing meals in the transient NoVA area was heartfelt and created intimacy among friends since most everyone we knew did not have family in town.


There were also times that Hubby and I were completely needy and we were fed. When Hubby's sister died I fielded the calls at his mom's house. People I did not personally know asked if we needed anything. They wanted to help and I let them. Since most of the immediate family had traveled to AZ when she died, I asked those offering to help to bring meals for 10. His mom and grandma did not need the additional stress of making food, and cleaning up after all of us. Tensions and emotions were understandably high. Aside from the engery zapped when grieving, there were trips to the airport, funeral arrangements, and many other unexpected things. Meals for our family were a complete blessing. They mostly came from people we did not know, but people who had loved my sister in love, and wanted to serve her family.


After I birthed my children in both VA and HI I was obviously exhausted. Some of the sweetest acts of love were meals brought after their births. Hubby was then free to care for me and for the babies.


The Bible has plenty to say about meals. The most precious meal to partake is Holy Communion, instituted by Jesus, called the Lord's Supper. In the early church, there were "Agape meals." They were communal meals that denoted brotherly love by Christians, prior to the Lord's supper. Jesus will one day say to us, "For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat." (Mat 25:35)



And why should it be our responsibility? "...better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away." (Prov. 27:10)


Recently, a friend told me her friends recently moved to Hawaii and are living in temp quarters until they close on their place. Ohhhh, I did the 2 month hotel thing with a kid in tow. No fun. I remember just wanting a home cooked meal. Odd, because I love to eat out. So these folks came for dinner. Meal ministries can reach beyond those you even know.


Sometimes you wonder what you can do for people in need. Offer them a meal. I have never been turned down once. I am totally not an amazing cook, either.


Here are some ideas:

• Come up with a standard meal you will make and take for people. It cuts down on stressing over the meal. My favorite meal to make is a creamy enchilada recipe I stole from friend H. that always gets rave reviews, with an avocado salad recipe I stole from a school secretary, and a side of fresh cut pineapple first and foremost because I live on the island (also a longstanding tradition of hospitality actually cultivated on the East Coast), and some type of a dessert.


• Put your name on the bottom of dishes with masking tape or use disposable containers.


• Do not be afraid to buy the meal if you have time contstraints but have a willing heart! I have done this. I will usually tell them I am going to a particular chain restaurant and ask what they would like.


• Ask about food allergies.


• Do not assume you are invited to stay and eat with them unless you are invited!

As to opening our home for a meal, I have narrowed what is important to me down to practical hospitality. "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." (Heb 13:2)

I more enjoy the company of friends than creating the perfect setting. However, I love perfect settings, and appreciate going to people's homes that can whip them together in an instant. I am not so gifted. I have come to realize if I want a perfect setting I will go to a nice restaurant or go for tea with girlfriends or create a perfect setting once in a blue moon. Here are my thoughts on practical hospitality at my house:

• Ask about allergies/dislike of certain foods when inviting. This avoids a whole lot of embarrassment.


• Include fruit if kids are coming. They will at least find themselves something to eat even if they don't like what is served. I usually have pineapple and grapes, and add one other fruit.


• Make a meal that will not kill me and not make me totally resent I asked these folks over for dinner and that will avoid me yelling at my kids, or my husband. You are smiling because you know how easily that happens to us all. I do not like to experiment on guests and flip them out if the food doesn't work out. But that is just me.


• Make a dessert that includes chocolate. I keep a box of Ghiradelli triple fudge brownies (from Costco) and ice cream on hand. If I am in a pinch brownies can bake during dinner.


• Cheat and get a winner dessert from someone you know does it well. We love the Chocolate Haupia pie from Costco (local dessert with choc and coconut).
• If and only IF I have it together (which lots of times I actually do) make a killer dessert. I like to go all out on something irresistable.
  
• Clean toilets. I love me a clean toilet!


• Clean floors: A must in Hawaii if you expect people to be barefoot. No one likes dirty bare feet!


• Feed my own children early. I feed Son1 before company comes so that if he doesn't eat what is on his plate when we have guests I don't care and don't fuss at him. I will do the same for Son2 as he grows.


• Teach your children how to be good hosts. I talk about our guests in the hours before they arrive. I give Son1 a job like opening the door and greeting the guests, and walking them to the door at the end of the night and thanking the guests for coming. We talk about sharing and what toys he will share before our friends come over.

There are so many things I could write about that I do when people come for meals, but I won't.

The most important thing I know is that meals minister to those in need. And the best thing I can try and communicate when I drop off a meal or have people over to share a meal is that it is my pleasure to serve them. Below is a picture Hubby took during a North Shore winter sunset at Waimea Bay that says it all.

Just post a comment if you want a copy of this picture in glossy 4x6 or larger. We already have it uploaded to a photo album. If you think I have your address I will just send it. If not send me an email adress like this: someone (AT) gmail dot com....that format....to prevent those trollers, and I will send you a pic.