Small Acts, Big Difference Part 2

While it may seem small, the ripple effects of small things is extraordinary ~ Matt Bevin (former governor of Kentucky)

Small Thing #2 - Food for the Soul                

🎃 In the last post I talked about how coffee or the communion over a cup of it has a therapeutic path to the heart.  In my mind it has a best friend, a Thelma to its Louise, a Dean Martin to its Frank Sinatra, a Bert to its Ernie (ok I'm done) - that's right: food.  

🎃 No surprise.  An Irish proverb says "Laughter is the brightest in the place where food is good." In much the same way coffee has the power to hug someone, a small gesture of the gift of food conveys to someone they have been valued.  

Matt 25:35 "For I was hungry, and you fed me."  

Matt 25:40 "And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'"  

Hebrews 13:16 "And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need.  These are the sacrifices that please God." 

Acts 20:35 "It is more blessed to give than to receive." 

🎃 One of our oldest customs dating back thousands of years is the tradition of bringing food to funerals.  The Amish bring a raisin-filled funeral pie. In colonial America a funeral cookie and alcoholic beverage were consumed on the way from the church to the cemetery.  In Victorian England the death notice was wrapped around the cookie and sent out to friends and families of the deceased.  Food inherently comforts and conveys community.  

                                                Victorian funeral cookies (http://historiccamdencounty.com/ccnews153.shtml)

🎃 I don't think we necessarily have to wait for funerals to bless people with food.  We all understand how insanely rushed our family's schedules are today, and when someone's life is disrupted by a hospital stay of a loved one or an event that has dominated someone's time (finals, tournaments, overtime at work, house guests, moving etc) it wreaks havoc on our inner peace.  

🎃 As someone who has moved 10 times I know how hard it is to make a meal when you are moving!  Ugh- take out far too many nights gets pretty old! Life hack: if someone is moving pick up a cute dish at a thrift store and give it to them with food in it. 

🎃 To use food gifts as a means to show kindness, it doesn't need to be a big deal or expensive to be ready for any of these circumstances. Next time you bake or cook, make extra and freeze.  Here are some suggestions- I tried to provide links to make your life easier 😉

🎃 For snacks -     

• small loaves of quick bread or cookies (baked or bought & frozen). Here's a great & easy cinnamon quick bread I found on Pinterest (❤) 

•  trail mix, nuts

•  granola bars   

For "on-the-go" food for hospital or road snacks these bags from Michael's are really inexpensive to put the goodies in.

🎃 For meals -

• easy one pot pasta (of course found on Pinterest ❤) & if you want you can add sausage on top in frozen foil containers (pick some up at the Dollar Tree so you have them on hand)

• salad packages from any store

• ham is always a great option because it can be eaten for any meal and lasts a while

• soup (to go with your bread)
  

• charcuterie tray - salami, cheese, crackers

• fruit/veggie tray

🎃  I love that with a tiny bit of forethought I can extend a hand of consideration to a friend, neighbor or coworker the way it has been shown to me numerous times. It etches a heart on my soul both when I've been the busy mom recipient or the busy mom giver.  I can't think of a better stitch in a wound for me than to reach out to let another know that you have been there.   

✙ Lord, just as the Good Samaritan helped a stranger, lead us to feed our neighbor with the abundance of what You have provided.  Open our eyes and hearts to be generous to the poor or poor in spirit. Multiply our time so we can be generous with it. Amen. (Prov 22:9)