Salt & Pepper, 3/29/09
Today started out stressful for me. Jared and his friend got to our house at 9:10 a.m. to prepare the food for breakfast at 10 a.m. The boys and I had just woken up. Well, we made it to the Shores by 10:05. Martin and Kim were already there waiting for us. Both of them were looking forward to the warm breakfast all week. We joined them at the picnic table, sat down, and I started to make eggs. I was thinking in my head, wondering if Jared added salt in the eggs already. Jared said he hadn’t. I felt stressed. I said to Kim and Martin, “I am sorry we did not bring salt and pepper.” I thought maybe we needed to go get some salt at the market nearby. Kim told me something that helped me to put things in perspective. She said, “I live without so many things. It is totally okay.” I thought to myself, here I am stressed out about not having salt for the eggs.
The rest of the breakfast was full of laughter and personal experiences from the past. Martin shared about childhood memories and interactions between him and his father. My eyes were on Chase when all of people were talking. I watched Chase go and pick a dandelion and then run over to Kim to give her the flower. Kim was so happy. She told Chase she would put those dandelions behind her ears. Kim and Martin both expressed that they missed a good warm breakfast. They were just so excited. Martin talked about using his food stamps to buy food to make breakfast for us one of these Sundays. During the conversation, they shared about the changes they are making in life. They cleaned up around their tent. Martin helped Kim to get her doctor appointment on time, which was big. They got to go to a church in Del Mar to take a shower during the week. Martin was so open about his personal growth this week. I thank God for helping Martin.
At the end of the breakfast, Martin asked to pray together before everyone. I missed out on the prayer because I was watching Chase play on the swings. Jared told me that Martin prayed for all the things and people that he is grateful for in his life.
I thought of Ephesians 1:3, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Would you join me to take time to think of God's blessing in our life as we start the week together with the gratefulness of what we do have in life? We are the salt of the earth.
Love,
Shelly