THE DINNER
The smell of thyme, chives, basil, and lemon permeated the kitchen as the chicken bubbled in the oven. It was accompanied by a melody of potatoes, and a refreshing cucumber and corn salad. I even made homemade rolls with herbs sprinkled on the top. A fruit drink was also served with the meal. And for dessert? Of course a blueberry lemon cake. It had taken me two days to make everything, some of which were for the first time…actually, everything I made was for the first time. And so you ask “ what was the occasion?” It was time. Some friends were coming over to help us with a project so I thought maybe this is the time to cook and bake. We had missed it over Memorial Day for the welcome home party for Kevin and Jake because Kev was sick. And the “ makeup” party was postponed because Jake was sick and had been in the ER twice. And then the “barbecue” was eaten late at night when Kev had come back from the ER where he received nine staples. Poor Nick! He was surviving on pop tarts alone. It was time to finally move forward. Kev is now well and getting the staples out tomorrow. Wer’e still waiting on the results of his biopsy but for now it’s good. Jake is now healthy…it was found out that he possibly caught a virus in Peru that ended up effecting his colon. He and Nick have moved out into their new apartment and are getting settled. Yes, now was the time to celebrate. Only this time it was for an intimate crowd while finishing up another project for the house. The cake was distributed to some neighbors as a thank you gift. Have you ever noticed that life has a rhythm, an ebb and flow, the good with the bad, the saddest and joyous moments, a time of celebration and a time to grieve? The book of Ecclesiastes writes about this in chapter three. The subject is about time and everything in between time. Have you ever wanted time to go faster so the pain you were suffering would finally be over? Or, that time would go slow, very slow, while you spent time with your loved ones at your favorite vacation spot? Maybe you are reflecting right now on the question “ what have I done with my time? or, where am I going with the time I have left?” Whatever you have done in the past I know that Jesus can make the rest of your time a place of true PEACE, JOY…not that it will be easy but that it will be one of purpose and with an eternal future with Him. For this moment , I was able to celebrate with food, a special cake, with friends, thanking Jesus for His answered prayers for my family and for those I have been praying for regularly. Take time to celebrate the small things today for tomorrow will have its own problems. Thank you Jesus for this most special day to look up and be filled with a grateful heart.