Tuesday, June 26, 2007

I should be in bed...

nursing this awful summer head cold I've managed to catch. Whatever catching a cold means. It's more like the thing jumped on my head, filled it with gunk, stopped up my ears and gave me a bad case of aches, chills and fevers.

Yes, there's nothing like a set of fever and chills in 90 degree plus weather.

Anyway, I should be in bed but I can't get comfortable--something about needing to breathe to sleep. So here I am blogging--good for what ails you. And I want to tell you about God's true providence for me today, on a day when I have physically felt horrible.

I volunteer at our local Ronald McDonald House in a couple of ways, but every other month our family cooks the evening meal for the families that are staying there. Usually that's about 30-35 people plus volunteers, staff and our family. It can be quite a crowd. Husband and I split up the duties, the boys pitch in, the volunteers and staff also contribute dicing, slicing, and chopping if necessary. I love cooking for a crowd, and this is definitely the way to do it.

Months ago I wrote on my calendar that our meal night was Wednesday, June 27th. I stopped at the House today to plan my menu, shop the pantry provisions, and visit with the staff. I was greeted with, "Hey, what are you cooking tonight?"

"Tonight? I'm cooking for tomorrow night."

"No, you're on the calendar for tonight."

"No, no, I'm sure I'm on the calendar for tomorrow night."

"Er, no, we're pretty sure you're on the calendar for t.o.n.i.g.h.t."

Well, you don't need anymore dialog to know where this is going. I had the dinner tonight. for thirty plus people. to be served at 6:30. after receiving this news at 3:00. and husband could not be there to help because of a prior commitment.

Quickly, oh so quickly a menu had to be put together. The House fridge had an untouched 9x13 pan of fresh green beans, a huge bowl of untouched pasta salad, and some leftover macaroni and cheese. I went to the grocery store and bought 5 rotisserie chickens, three extra large boxes of fried chicken, and a bunch of fresh fruit. Back to the House. The boys unloaded and I began setting things out.

But I still didn't have a dessert. As I was fretting over how to get brownies quickly made and finish cutting up all the fruit, a local bakery called and asked if they could bring by a wedding cake that had not been used. Apparently the cake was ordered but the bride changed her mind to use another bakery and didn't let the first bakery know. A four layer wedding cake. That's a gift from God as far as I am concerned.

So the dinner was served to a grateful set of families by an extremely grateful ME because I was clearly aware at how greatly God had gone before me to provide a fridge full of untouched food I could serve fresh, a cake previously rejected but now warmly received, and with minimal effort on my part on a day where any effort has been difficult.

Thanks be to God for the very practical way He showed His provision to me today.

"I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever." Psalm 145:1

9 comments:

  1. How cool!

    And why is it that we think we're in charge? :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for this beautiful testimony. God is huge and it is good to remember that. What a blessing your family is to those in need, wish we had a House in our town. Sounds like a great place to volunteer. Hope you feel better!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Elle,

    That could have been in answer to our family's prayers!

    Twice Jake, our middle son, has had open heart surgery; once in Toledo and once in Nashville. Both times we were privileged to stay at a Ronald McDonald House. During both stays, and on the anniversaries of our stays, we pray for all the wonderful people who make the Ronald McDonald Houses possible, asking God to bless each one for their kindness to us at that time and to others on a daily basis. We are reminded of that time so often when we read in the paper of children who are ill with long hospital stays and we pray!

    I'm delighted to have this opportunity to thank you for your servants heart and to let you know that during a very difficult time, your service is a poignant blessing for those families in need.

    I wonder if the bride knows that her mistake blessed you and others? I hope so!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my, I am so thrilled down to my toes when God puts things together for us...Blessings on your service to your community!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Elle, for your stuffy head check this out
    http://smcarnes.blogspot.com/2007/06/ok-allergy-sufferers-this-post-is-for.html
    and for the record it worked when I did it. I didn't have that fancy product I used a measuring cup. It was messy but worked well.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is just amazing. I would have been in such a panic -- but I shouldn't be because God has promised to supply all our needs!

    BTW, for your amusement, I'll share with you a poem I wrote earlier in the summer when I had an awful head cold: "Ode to a Summer Cold" at http://barbarah.wordpress.com/2007/06/07/ode-to-a-summer-cold/. :) Hope you feel better soon!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, Elle. Look how He provides! Praying for relief from your cold today, friend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kim, thanks indeed for your family's prayers. I too have spent many nights in an RMH which is why we volunteer now. I'm thankful to know that a House has blessed you as well.

    Ellen, I have actually done the nose bidet. I had to do it in the shower though because so gross, but you're right, it does work.

    Barbara, love the poem!

    Thanks to everyone, today I was feeling better. A little Tylenol and a good night's sleep.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Our God is so good!

    I'm sorry you've been feeling poorly. I think I caught your cold - can we catch them from reading blogs???? Either that or I caught it from talking to my mom on the phone when she had it. :^)Anywho...I understand your summer cold woes!

    ReplyDelete