Pot Luck or Pot Blessings?
This is a photo from our Thanksgiving Pot Luck/Pot Blessings or in the words of a friend, our eat-a-thon meal yesterday. It is amazing how diverse we are in all areas of life, yet we have gratitude, friendship and true concern for each other in common. It’s true — variety is the spice of of life and I am thankful to live here where the spices create a fragrant aroma of wonderful friendships.
Back to Pot Luck or Pot Blessing. I have known pot luck meals all my life because we were covered-dish toters to our family and church get togethers since I was still in my mother’s womb! I can’t begin to tell you how many covered dishes, salads, main dishes, and desserts that I have made over many years of family reunions, social groups and church family meals or friends just celebrating life together. And lest I offend some of my dear Bible-toting friends with the “luck” part of potluck, I also refer to those amazing food-out-of-control events as “Pot Blessings”. I like to think that the cooks are inspired from Heaven Central when they plan out their culinary treats because of the amazing varieties that show up.
Truly they are blessings because we are God’s family and sharing a “family” meal together to celebrate our friendship with each other is just the way He rolls. I recognize the “blessings of God” when I’m hanging out with those whose common language is kindness, generosity, love — or better put, God’s love. Yesterday we literally broke bread and ate bread dressing, turkey, and all kinds of other delicious goodies. It’s interesting that we don’t hear talk about politics or the economy or any other negative subjects. This community is more about what we have in common than what we don’t. You hear positive people talking about positive matters.
I take this kind of friendship and fellowship to a whole new level when I think how Christ started that friendship and fellowship when He broke bread with His disciples. Coming together to celebrate Him in us and us in Him. Some of my favorite memories involve yummy food and sharing God’s love and caring like this. Scripture shows us how important it was to God for us to break bread together. Acts 2:42,46: “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.”
When we share our gifts, talents and ordinary meals to bless and serve others, we aren’t just being nice. We’re being obedient to God’s Word as this verse says: “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:9-10). Our aim should be the same for everyone. When we offer hospitality with gusto, without grumbling or complaining, we are doing exactly what pleases God — using our gifts as His family to honor Him and each other.
God’s many blessings to you and yours as you gather together next week for Thanksgiving. Perhaps you’ll add God to your casual discussions that shows how grateful you are to be so richly blessed.