Taking them Bread, Comfort the Mourning – How a simple act of kindness blessed the giver and brought joy to the mourning.
Taking them Bread, Comfort the Mourning – How a simple act of kindness blessed the giver and brought joy to the mourning.
Recently a neighbor from down the street spotted me on a walk and asked if she could talk with me. She later shared that a close by neighbor had just tragically lost her son, he was only in his 20s. I didn’t know her that well but I’ve chatted with her several times. I struggled with the idea of taking her a meal. After all, what can food really do for the someone hurting so deeply?
I finally texted the neighbor back and said “Yes, I’ll bring a meal today. Would you please help me work out the details of how to get it to her since I haven’t seen her at home.” She said “Absolutely.” I ended up dropping it off for her to deliver since it worked out better with our schedules.
I dropped off the meal and we had a sweet little conversation. You see this neighbor had lost her son just 2 years ago. She shared with me that in those very dark days she couldn’t bring herself to even go the kitchen to prepare food. Even when she tried, she just didn’t have it in her. I pondered over that and I knew that my simple meal of pasta bake, french bread, and pumpkin whoopie pies was so small. But yet I already knew how glad I was. Glad that I got out of my comfort zone and did the right thing.
Several days later I received a beautiful text that left me teary eyed. (I’m sap!)
‘ Tammy said, “Your food was delicious. She loved the bread. She said it was the best French bread she’s ever eaten and the whoopie pies were so good that she had two. Thank you.’ ” It sure is more blessed to give than to receive.
In those moments you realize you really can bring a small, but mighty dose of joy to someone who is sad, discouraged, lonely, mourning. Food is more than nourishment. It’s life-giving. It reminds us of our need for each other. We could never survive this world without food and we could never survive this world without each other. Jesus teaches us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Thank goodness for the hope we have as we pray for those who are grieving. “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5 Our small gifts of love may not seem like much to us, but the comfort it gives to those who receive is life-giving.
I learned first-hand this month what a simple loaf of bread can do for a weary soul.
When’s the last time you felt the joy that comes from giving?
Who in your life right now could use a dose of encouragement?
It may be as simple as a tin of cookies, a loaf of bread or a card of encouragement. Step out there, loves. We’re the hands and feet, ready to do his good deeds.
Til we meet and eat again,
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Other good articles to read:
Comfort Food for Those Who Mourn – Grace Table
14 Little Things to Help a Grieving Friend – Take Them a Meal
Just Show Up – Comfy in the Kitchen
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