Pumpkin Pie

It was the week before Thanksgiving break...2018. My first year at Madison Cross Roads. I had only been there a short time. Have you ever been somewhere that you knew God led you to, but you weren’t sure why yet? That was where I was. Often where I still am. I believe that God writes His story through our lives. Wherever I am, He desires for me to be because He still has things to do through me in that place. Over time we get clarity about what those things are, in small pieces any way. 

I was still searching for clarity when I walked into that parent meeting over a year ago. I met Grandmother that morning. She had a familiar look. I reached my hand across the table to introduce myself. She says, “I know who you are. You are the guy that runs the food bank.” Our conversation that day led me to deliver a Thanksgiving meal to her house. She wasn’t able to make it to House of the Harvest because she had to work at a local fast food establishment, where she has worked for over 25 years. Here she was, working fast food all of her life and trying to raise two grandchildren. Her husband was retired from working for the city. They have one car. She takes it to work, he stays home with the grandkids. The least I could do was make sure they had a good Thanksgiving meal to enjoy on their one day off together. 

The Monday following Thanksgiving I see her grandson. He is wearing his typical gigantic grin. Seeing him is a highlight for most of us. I asked him if he had a good Thanksgiving. He smiles bigger as he proclaims, “I had pumpkin pie.” He liked that pumpkin pie. I love that part. The joy on the other side is the biggest blessing. I love to be able to share those moments. We gave out over three hundred meals to families in our community, thanks to many people in our community that helped make that a reality. But the part I love the most is coming back the Saturday after and asking, “Did your family have a good holiday?” and hearing, “Yes. It was great! Thank you! We couldn’t have enjoyed it without you guys.” No need for thank you, knowing it was good is enough. 

It’s been a year since that morning we came face to face in that meeting. I don’t see her much, just every now and then. But she walked in the door on the Wednesday before our break to pick up her grandson for an appointment. As she stood in the lobby, I just happened to be walking by. How could God let that opportunity pass? And she opened the door into the hallway, and her usually very shy, very reserved self came and gave me a hug. I already know what I am supposed to do. 

“Come by Friday and I’ll have your meal ready for you.” I tell her. She smiles and very humbly says, “Thank you so much.” I don't know how long I’ll be around, but as long as I am there is one pumpkin pie that is going to be delivered every Thanksgiving. You can write it down. 

The smiles, the hug, and the joy of a child who loves pumpkin pie is enough to make my day. It’s a small sacrifice to make when it brings someone love and hope. To think that a box of food, handed over in the right way and at the right time, can help someone see God, feel loved and valued, and change their life experience is humbling. 

I don’t know what the future holds. I’m still searching for clarity. But I do know that a sacrifice was made for me also. That sacrifice allows me to be able to enjoy my time here. It was no small sacrifice. It was far greater than the time and money that Thanksgiving meal cost...all those meals cost. And, I know this, you and I weren’t made for this place. We were made for a far greater place. A place that the sacrifice made for us will allow us to experience. And, the longer I live here, the more I desire the day when I hear, “Did you have a good time down there?” and I can be the one to say, “Yes! It was great! Thank you! I couldn’t have enjoyed it without You.”