My friend Connie and I have been friends for sixty-plus years, having grown up together at Moody Church, and among her many talents is being a fabulous cook. Since I’m not a very good one, I’ve always appreciated her abilities in the kitchen and have gobbled up many a meal from her hands.
But one particular incident will always come to mind when I think of Connie. It involved food but no cooking, and it happened 20 years ago. On a frosty morning in 1994, she stepped through my kitchen door carrying two overloaded grocery bags.
Wiping the dishwater from my hands, I said, “What’s all this?”
“Never mind,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”
I followed her outside, oblivious to the winter winds, questioning her as I went. “What’s going on?” But I stopped short when I saw eight more big brown bags lined up in her car.
“The Lord told me to do something,” she said, “and I’m just doing what I’ve been told. You’re getting your kitchen stocked.”
“Oh no,” I said. “You can’t do that!”
But she deflected my objections. “Don’t get in the way of a blessing.”
Our family had been struggling financially for several years, and for me as a stay-at-home mom of seven, panic was never far away. This day a couple of my cabinet shelves were completely empty, shelves that once couldn’t hold their bounty.
“What do you mean,” I said, “by the Lord telling you what to do?”
“In Bible study this week one verse mentioned helping those in need. I knew it was God’s message for me to help you. So don’t object. I’ve gone over your head and gotten special permission.”
My eyes filled and I threw my arms around this true friend. I hadn’t told her of my rising fear over the near-empty refrigerator or mentioned that our dinners had boiled down to a choice between pancakes and soup. Yet God had, through his Word, given Connie specific instructions. Best of all, she’d obeyed. Knowing her family was also on a strict budget, I appreciated her gifts even more.
It’s difficult to accept charity. Giving is much easier than receiving. As I stood in my replenished kitchen that afternoon feeling guilty for accepting Connie’s groceries, God reminded me that charity is just another word for love. Connie had demonstrated godly love, which humbled me and simultaneously lifted my sagging spirit.
Later that same day my four year old (who had witnessed the food delivery) made a wise assessment of what had happened. “Your friend sure shares good, Mom.”
I had to agree.
“Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” (Hebrews 13:16)
That is Connie and Duane all the time! Always caring for others.
“Sure shares good.” What a great way to assess a heart moved by God’s Spirit!
What a wonderful godly example! I remember them and their delicious cooking.
I thoroughly enjoyed your blog today!! Of course, knowing Connie made the story all the sweeter. Her family always helped others! Thanks for the reminder to help others as God leads.
Before I even read the blog, Connie’s smile on your blog evoked many thoughts! The legacy of friends from Moody Church is still a marvel and gift to me. I married into one of the ‘clans’ that God blessed (blesses). (I did not come from a Godly clan.) Your walks with The Lord encourage me, brief moments in time when paths cross at funerals or weddings or ?? I am encouraged and blessed anew. There are people who truly want to walk with Jesus, to remain faithful, to end well!! None of these people have had ‘perfect’ lives but they have stayed the course, they desire to ‘end well’.
You, Connie and others would never know that your journeys day to day have blessed lives and given perspective and direction. Until now few people would know of this act of giving among friends. By sharing you will have encouraged others and blessed many who have done things in ‘secret’ to help a friend never realizing that many years later their simple acts will spur others on to ‘good works’.
Today you both blessed my heart with gratitude for the people God surrounds me with. You encouraged me to keep listening to that ‘still small voice’ that directs us to minister to others. You reminded me that heaven is going to be one awesome reunion where I believe stories will be shared of how God met our needs.
Blessings to both you dear ladies. 🙂
Amen to Claudia’s comments. Thanks for the blessing and for the exhortation to be open to the Lord’s leading.
Now, I’m missing not only you, Margaret, but I am missing Connie. Moody Church memories are flooding thru my mind. Personally, you BOTH have carried the hearts of your parents,through the years, and even today, all of us benefit from John and Jeanette, and Carl and Evelyn. I STILL remember the teachings, at church and camp, from these dear Saints! I add my parents, to this group, too! So Blessed are We and Me !!
LOVE her smile and her great laugh! She has a big, big heart!!
I can just hear Connie’s intonation “…I’ve gone over your head and gotten special permission.” The intonation would be an exact replica of her mother’s–“Those are the facts, so just deal with it.”
Your mom would have used the same words, but the eyes would have twinkled a little and the voice would have had more of a giggle. “God and I have gotten you this time.”