Baloney and the Banquet
We had some good friends over for a meal recently. Never in our wildest imagination would we have considered serving them baloney sandwiches. Not on your life. Carolyn whipped up an amazing lasagna with all the appropriate side dished and we feasted.
Baloney ...
Not the food for kings and good friends. Now, I like baloney as an occasional sandwich for lunch, but not for serving to guests.
Keep reading, please.
This story is from Come Share the Being by Bob Benson
Do you remember when they had old-fashioned Sunday school picnics? It
was before air-conditioning.
They said,
“We’ll meet at Sycamore Lodge in Shelby Park at 4:30 Saturday.
You bring your supper and we’ll furnish the tea.”
But you came home at the last minute and when you got read to pack your lunch all you could find in the refrigerator was one piece of dried up baloney and just enough mustard in the bottom of the jar so that you got it all over our knuckles trying to get to it.
And there were just two stale pieces of bread.
So, you made your baloney sandwich and wrapped it in some brown bag and went to the picnic.
And when it came time to eat, you sat at the end of the table and spread out your sandwich.
But the folks next to you – the lady was a good cook – and she had worked all day and she had fried chicken, and baked beans, and potato salad, and homemade roles, and sliced tomatoes and pickles, and olives, and celery, and topped it all off with two big homemade chocolate pies.
And they spread it all out beside you and there you were with your baloney sandwich.
But they said to you, “Why don’t we put it all together?”
“No, I couldn’t do that. I just couldn’t even think if it,” you murmured embarrassedly.
“Oh, come on, there’s plenty of chicken and plenty of pie, and plenty of everything – and we just love baloney sandwiches. Let’s just put it all together.”
And so, you did and there you sat, eating like a king when you came like a pauper.
Sometimes, we don’t have much to offer ... in life, to friends and family, and to God. It seems our contribution is a dried-up piece of baloney between two pieces of stale bread, and yet we’re offered a feast from some kindly neighbor next door, or a friend far away, or a measure of mercy from God himself.
This is not a pity party, so please hold a more lofty thought of me for a few minutes.
At this very moment, it seems I’m in the baloney days of my life. I had amputee surgery 4 1⁄2 weeks ago on my left toes. For three weeks, I had to be waited on hand and foot, no pun intended.
As I write this, I can see a dozen cards from friends and family wishing me healing, peace, comfort and good thoughts and prayers. And my in-box has been filled with words and expressions of love and healing thoughts as well. My baloney has turned dry and moldy during this ordeal, and yet, these cherished ones of mine have given me banquet food to eat in the form of thoughts, prayers and actions. I haven’t even been able to respond to anyone, but I cherish each and every gesture, prayer, meal brought in, and kind word expressed.
I have received grace and kindness, my friends. God has turned my baloney experience into a banquet of esteeming loving gestures and thoughts and prayers of health and good will.
It has been 4 1⁄2 weeks since surgery. I am now able to hobble about our condo sometimes with my walker, but most of the time without. I hold onto walls and furniture for balance and am making it OK. It’s not pretty, but I’m improving.
God’s grace IS sustaining Carolyn and me through it all. Her care for me is the BEST, and to my medical team – you are my heroes.
If you’ve ever gone through ‘baloney’ days, be encouraged. When you can’t give out as in days past, perhaps it is time to feast on the goodness of others. They will graciously take your ‘baloney’ offering and replace it with your own personal feast.
And know this ... God is nearby. Always and forever.
Morning Notes Blog Site
This is my morning reflection.
P Michael Biggs Hope~Encouragement~Inspiration
