Covered dish dinners.
Are you old enough to remember them?
Having been raised in Virginia it is quite a southern tradition to have dinners after church functions. And let me tell you….
The food was incredible!
You know, it was more than just food.
It was a place and time for old-fashioned fellowship.
Miss Lizzy could share her prized corn pudding recipe. Janet’s sweet potato casserole had more pecan crust topping, but Hilda’s was sweeter. And Miss Jean’s chocolate cake? Who whee! It was the best thing you’d eat all week!
Those dinners were more. Mr Leland did not have to go home so soon to an empty house. The Taylor’s could take home extra plates, and a few bags were strategically placed in the back seat of their worn station wagon…. Heavenly help since Mr. Taylor lost his job. The lonely could sit at a table once again like the family remembered from days long gone, children long grown.
The pastor and his family could visit, and be loved on. (I know this well, as I was a child of a pastor, and those dinners were a blessing to us.) This was like the Norman Rockwell paintings full of family and sweet expressions, laughter and chatter.
Fellowship. Neighboring. Community.
Like Jesus gathering his tribe in the upper room. Misfits, like us…gathered before a big God, in the presence of a perfect Christ. Giving great thanks.
Picture a table such as this in our heavenly home. One where we enter the Sweet communion hall of the King…and see our beautiful Jesus at the head, welcoming us home.
I hope I’m there in time for one of Miss Mattie’s rolls.
HolliStillStanding 