Years ago at a large Christian music festival in a local park, many who attended brought their own food to munch on while enjoying the wide variety of bands onstage throughout the day. When lunchtime arrived, my mom and I removed our ice chest filled with the prepared lunch for the six members in our family.
I’ve never quite met anyone like my mom. One of her favorite sayings is, “it’s all in the presentation”. Indeed. My mom prepared a table of delicacies that included scrumptious oversized homemade cookies, bowls of neatly cut watermelon and cantaloupe, and mouth-watering sandwiches. To the onlooker, it appeared to be something out of a magazine or found on a Pinterest board.
We were just about to pray and savor this tasty meal when the most unexpected thing happened.
Several individuals—strangers—arrived at our table, plates in hand, smiles on their faces. “This looks delicious,” we heard one of them say. “Thank you so much,” another said.
At first, my mom and I exchanged glances. Who were these people? Did they know this was a private meal?
But seconds later, we shrugged in tandem and encouraged them to help themselves to whatever they’d like. Our bounty was more than sufficient for our little family. You would have thought we offered them a million dollars.
Because it’s a park in the middle of a fair-sized city, there is a sizeable homeless population that migrates through the area on any given day. We didn’t know the situations of our “guests” or what was going on in their lives. But we did know one thing…that something so simple blessed them.
These days, my mom can no longer prepare lavish feasts or create beautiful crafts without assistance due to a life-altering accident and severe chronic pain. However, that day in the park all those years ago reminded me of the importance of serving unexpectedly.
Sometimes we have no idea how the things we do can bless someone. Sometimes, even when we don’t set out to serve someone or enrich their lives, our actions have the biggest impact.
This post was also linked up to The Sweet Tea & Friends Linkup.
Before you go, check out these other posts:
are you an encourager or a discourager?
sunbutter and chocolate fudge bars
10 reminders of God’s enduring love
Penny Zeller 
Our mom taught us how encouraging someone can be a huge blessing, even if we don’t see it, or never know. But God does. Thanks for sharing this lovely story. I’m so sorry to hear about your mom’s accident. May I pray for her this week?
Hello Lillian-Keith! Your mom sounds like a wonderful lady, and she is so right. Thank you for your offer to pray for my mom. That is really sweet, and I would appreciate that so much.
Sure thing! And feel free to call me Lily. 🙂
Great post and reminder for all of us!
Thank you so much, Cindy, for stopping by!
I think you met delicacies instead of delicatessens. A lovely story. If God is for us, who can be against us!!!!!
Hello Donise, thank you so much for your comment. Yes, you are correct. It should be delicacies. I’ve edited my post to reflect the right word. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend and God bless!
I give credit to those who are more adaptable than I am and able to serve God whenever and where ever.
Yes, Vivian, I agree. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!
Penny, this is a fantastic message. I so loved hearing about your mom and your special day in the park years ago. This >”Sometimes we have no idea how the things we do can bless someone. Sometimes, even when we don’t set out to serve someone or enrich their lives, our actions have the biggest impact.” Is such a powerful statement.
Thank you bunches for linking up with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.