What's For Lunch?

Mary and I have been on the road visiting with many of you at One Day seminars so I've been a little slack on my blog.  Thanks for the encouragement to get busy with a new post.

In I Cor. 15 1-3 Paul tells us he wants to remind us of the gospel. He would go on to say it is of first importance! Now it seems almost a little strange that Paul would have to remind us of what should be number one in our lives.  But it was really a reminder to me not to get so busy that I forget what is most important.

I was reminded of that today at Sunday lunch, Mother's Day. We had a big family meal with blood family and CR forever family. The smell of freshly baked rolls, glazed ham, corn casserole (Marnie's recipe) and purple hull peas filled the room. And as I took in the aroma of what promised to be a great lunch, I looked around the room and realized what was really important, relationships.  It would have been much easier to get drive through, come home, and take a nap.  Then I would've missed hearing the laughter of my family and the talk that went around the dinner table.  By having fun and fellowship with my family I was investing in my future as well as theirs.

What does that have to do with being the "A" Coach?  Well, let's see, besides our blood family. we invited a single dad with a 1 year old son who has only been in CR 6 months and is working hard to make good decisions. Another man invited takes care of his invalid brother who has been with us since we started CR.  When he first got here, he was illiterate. Since getting into recovery he has learned to read.  I will never forget the day he stood before our congregation and read Matt. 6:28-34 where God says,  "Live one day at a time." You could've heard a pin drop as tears streamed down the faces of his new family. These are men who now know they are a part of our family because family share meals together.

Paul and Peter both would tell us we need to practice hospitality (I Peter 4:8-10, Romans 12:12-14). So reflecting on what they said, if it is something I need to practice, it's probably not something that comes naturally. And one of the benefits we receive is the men and women we share meals with tend to stay plugged in.

At a time when Jesus' apostles were ready to scatter after his death, he found them in a locked house and simply appeared in the room. Now there are a lot of questions Jesus could've asked but his first question was, "What's for supper?" Their response, "Broiled fish." Jesus replied, "Good, let's eat together." After sharing this meal the apostles took the world by storm not letting anything hold them back!

A shared meal lets people in your ministry know that they are valuable and are a part of instead of a part from. This account is found in Luke 24 check it out.

Besides sharing meals in our home we have other fellowship events to get the word out about Celebrate Recovery. Like our annual CR in the Park where over 1000 people showed up.  I'll tell you more about that one next time we are together.

Let me know what's working for you.

Peace,

Mac