Today is busy and full. Thursdays are that way for me. I spent a full morning homeschooling, and feel that pressure with all the “end-of-year” things. My children attend a homeschool hybrid academy two days a week, and the last day is May 12. I have signed up for seven Sign Up Genius requests in the past two weeks, plus I have a son’s birthday this weekend, mine is on Mother’s Day this year, and our 24th wedding anniversary is the 10th. The next two weeks will be nuts.
I have a friend who is walking through tremendous loss, and one way that local friends are serving her is to bring their family meals for the next few months. After homeschooling, I headed to Kroger to gather my ingredients. Instead of rushing through the process, I told myself to slow down, breathe, and use the time of shopping to pray for her. The meal isn’t the singular gift, but also the prayer and the love that I offer as I prepare.
When I take families a meal, I try to clear my afternoon calendar leading up to cooking and delivery. I like to take my time so that I can try to package and attend to ingredients and dishes as thoughtfully as possible. Sometimes life is too busy, and I will bring them some delicious take-out. No shame there! With our warm temperatures, I knew that burgers, baked beans, already prepared potato salad, and fresh fruit would be a nice meal. Many people receive a lot of Italian food when a meal train has been started for them, so I try to make things that might taste lighter or fresh. If I don’t bring fruit, I make a big green salad with fresh toppings. I bring grilled pork tenderloins or Greek chicken with toppings, burgers or an Oven Chicken Risotto with fresh mozzarella and basil from the garden on top. In the winter, a big pot of hearty soup or chili with salad and crusty bread is a beautiful gift. I keep dessert simple and bring ice cream with toppings or frozen fruit bars or a novelty treat. Sometimes an amazing pan of salted browned butter Rice Krispie Treats.
Showing up with a home-cooked meal is an act of meaningful love and sacrificial service. I can still remember the meals that were brought to me by the families in our church when I had my firstborn almost 23 years ago. I have been the recipient of many wonderful meals over the years, during newborn baby days, seasons of loss, and when my family has been sick. It means the world to know that people are caring for you when you are in a vulnerable situation. I have also brought countless meals to people over the years, and have counted that ministry as a sacred one, one that I feel privileged to offer because of my home-centered lifestyle. Feeding people makes a difference and is generous, beautiful work.
I am off to chop the fruit now. I smell the bacon simmering in the baked beans. I must make some burger seasoning and form the patties. This is my quiet, holy work this afternoon, and it is good.
May we keep our eyes open for these opportunities, even if it costs us our money, time, and energy, knowing that we are loving others well,
Aimee
I never used to understand how much it means to show up at someone's door with a home-cooked meal for them--it was just what one did when a friend had a baby or someone passed away, etc. Then six years ago my 35-year-old husband was in the hospital in congestive heart failure, getting treatment and a pacemaker after months of being ill, and I had two small children at home. Local friends stepped in to take care of the kids and keep us fed. My siblings came up for the weekend to stay with the kids, clean our house, and fill our freezer with low-salt meals my husband would need when he came home as well as food for the rest of us. And when my husband came home from the hospital (it was truly a season of miracles, and he is still doing well today), friends and church members stepped in to bring us dinners over the next week or so. I still remember each person who cooked for us and what they made us, and while the food was wonderful, the hugs and prayers they brought with them meant even more. Since then I have never underestimated how much it might mean to someone to turn up with a meal during a tough time.