It's the end of a good Sunday service and I'm feeling like my spiritual batteries have been recharged. The pastor extends the invitation for all to join in the fellowship hall for the monthly,"Pot Luck" lunch. Ah! Time to play indigestion roulette again. I start the journey down the hall, knowing "IT" will be in there. You know what I'm talking about. It's the dreaded "HOT DISH"!
WHO DID THIS TO US?
I don't know who first created this gastronomic abomination or how the recipe has found it's way into kitchens around the country. The very name, "HOT DISH" seems to say, this stuff is SO nasty we can't even give it a specific name. I have a feeling it's genesis was a "quick and easy" recipe on the back of a soup can at one time. No offense meant to Mr. Campbell, but this one is a bomb.
LEARN THE WARNING SIGNS
Nature has provided us with warning signs of dangerous plants and animals. It might be a bright color or the rattle of a snake's tail. So too, there are warning signs to look for at a pot luck table.The greasy Tater Tots on the surface preview what lurks below. A gray congealed mass of ground mystery meat and condensed, gray soup, rice and maybe some green particles. Perhaps they were green beans at one time. The fact is, looking down the table at a pot luck is similar to picking your way though a food mine field. Each contributor has provided their favorite dish. Some delish some guaranteed to be with you for the rest of the day, or worse. Your decision making skills are critical at this point unless you have the digestive system of a stray bulldog.
LOOKING PAST THE PASTA
OK, I've just been messin with ya. But tell the truth, you could all relate to the picture, right? Let's take a closer look at the real ingredients found in God's recipe.The other side of the story is that someone took the time to make a dish to share with others. Maybe this put a strain on their food budget but they wanted to provide something to do their part. Could be that someone is going through a really tough or devastating time in their life but felt the need to make something for their church family. And of course, the person who just really did make something with love, to share with people they love. Keeping that in mind, I always make a point of taking a portion from a dish that no one is touching. The thought of the disappointment the maker of the dish would feel, if it went untouched, overcomes my fear of gastric disturbance.
WAIT! DON'T PASS BY THE BEST DISH!
After all, it's not really about the food. Fellowship is the key ingredient to the main dish. A chance to gather with your church family and share not only food but the very presence of God. To minister to each other by sharing what's going on in our lives and being supportive of the peaks and valleys we all go through. Fellowship is more than just getting together for social purposes. The Fellowship of Believers goes back to the Apostles in the early days of the church. Acts 2:42-47 speaks of "teaching", "breaking bread" and "prayer". These are all key elements of fellowship. This scripture also tells us that fellowship is not just for your church fellowship hall. Acts 2:46-47(NIV) goes on to tell us, "They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added daily those who were being saved."
GO BACK FOR SECONDS!
The bottom line here is, don't fear the dreaded "HOT DISH" as you approach the food line at your next pot luck event. Just jump on in there and load up your plate. As a friend of mine would say while facing adversity, "You gotta just suck it up buttercup!" Besides, the getting together with your church family is what it's all about. So, go back for seconds and have take another serving of love. This dish is better than the finest gourmet meal you will ever have.
No comments:
Post a Comment