Barely Brunch

One Sunday we sat in church listening to a guest pastor preach the Word. It was no ordinary Sunday in our church because there was an inordinate amount of guests. Our church denomination was having their annual meeting in our town the next day so our pews were full of visitors from various places.

My husband Jonathan, the social butterfly he is, decided to invite the pastor and some folks over for brunch. He casually mentioned that he might do this a few nights prior, but we made no formal plan and I did no prep.

By the end of church, Jonathan had invited a handful of folks, including the guest pastor, to our house. We have three girls, so the girls and I took off to figure out what to feed some twenty people without notice or preparation. We stopped at the local produce stand (normally I don’t shop on the Sabbath but I made an exception) and picked up eggs, fruit, and a pie. We raced home to beat the guests.

When we got home my girls jumped into action. My two oldest (fifteen and thirteen) started making a massive batch of pancakes and waffles. All those hours in the kitchen letting them bake and cook paid off. They were awesome. Somehow, with the Lord’s blessing, we pulled off a nice brunch.

This reminds me of our faith journey. Being part of God’s family means stepping into opportunities that maybe you weren’t expecting, or looking for. You never know how the Lord will use your willingness to say yes.

One of the guests was a young dad who had his daughters with him. His wife was joining up with him the next day. We provided a place for his older daughter to run around, rather than in a hotel room. His baby was held and loved on by our pastor’s wife. I remember those days with young children and I am glad we could provide a respite for him.

I don’t tell you this story to boast. I tell you this story to illustrate when you say yes to God, even when you are unsure, He blesses your time and efforts. Our brunch was not the greatest brunch our guests had ever experienced. It didn’t need to be. We had a wonderful time of fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We gathered a group of the church, fed them, and provided a place for them to hang out.

Sometimes doing God’s work is having a quiet conversation with a child who is having a rough day. It might mean bringing a neighbor a treat so they know you were thinking of them. Occasionally it means opening up your home to host folks for a meal when you weren’t planning to. When our hearts are open to serving God, He can use us in many wonderful ways.