Life on the Mother Road: #LightTheWorld Day Seven - Jesus Fed the Hungry and So Can You

True confession time.... I suck at feeding my kids, who most times I actually like.... so feeding the hungry may prove to be harder than some of the other suggestions. Also, in an attempt to keep things a little more lighthearted (after the Debbie Downer depression post) I wanted talk about feeding the hungry in a way that's not totally concentrated on actual food. Most of the food I make or offer to those around me is usually themed and probably contains sugar. That's what happens when you love to plan parties. As far as the good, healthy, nutritious stuff happening in our house, you'll have to talk to Matt or Allie. Food? Meh. Totally indifferent to food.

But I'm not totally indifferent to fun.... which is why any actual food discussed in this post will be of the party variety. Not because it may technically provide sustenance.... but because thoughtful food usually accompanies a thoughtful activity.... which, honestly, feeds the soul.

Not all parties or activities feed the soul. In fact, lately, they have led me to question putting my children up for adoption, lighting my house on fire and walking away or buying myself one of those "nice bright white straight jackets." Planning events can be stressful, and there are many in my life who are quick to say "you do too much" or "you went a little overboard." I won't argue with that. I don't pretend that the way I do things is the only right way to do things. I know it's not. And I also understand that sometimes less is more. But, I am also a big believer in thoughtful execution of inspired themes.

When I am working on planning an event, I like to take into account its purpose, its audience and any potential take aways. The truth is, you never know what folks are going through and you never know how what you do, say or plan will impact their life. There are countless times in my life that I have been edified and fed by the efforts of others. What has impacted me may or may not have had similar impacts on those who were present during these same experiences. But, just as we read about the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:4-5.... we never know when our efforts, reaching out to the one, will bring someone back into the fold.

I have been the beneficiary of someone's thoughts and efforts on numerous occasions. I have been spiritually fed and edified. A couple of examples from my life and most of them have to do with one person in particular: Caren Thomas. I have mentioned her before in my blog posts, but this YW leader and neighbor had a super HUGE impact on my life growing up.... she definitely lit up my world and edified my soul.

I remember one lesson that she gave about inclusion.... about liking everyone for who they are and for their special talents. She used jellybeans as an example. I don't remember the exact wording, but it was something to the effect of the fact that everyone LOVES the red jellybeans and HATES the black jellybeans. It would be lovely if we could all be red jellybeans all the time.... but we can't. And we should try harder to like the black jellybeans in our lives, because we're all different and we'll all feel like that at some point in life.

Another time, she stood up in front of us and taught us about Integrity by reciting the story of Horton Hears a Who..... from memory. That stuck with me... "a person's a person no matter how small" and "I meant what I said and I said what I meant, an elephant's faithful 100%." Both messages that I have carried into adulthood and that I have in turn passed on to the Young Women I work with at church.

I remember the slideshow that Caren made in the days before PowerPoint. She spent countless hours compiling pictures of Young Women in situations that were good and bad.... bare midriffs and the like. I can only imagine how much time that took her, and how many photos she had to take and develop before she was sure that her message would be communicated (very pre-digital camera.) The point is, I still remember that slideshow today and would love to go back and watch it again as an adult to truly appreciate the lesson; it's application and execution.

There were other leaders who invited me into their lives and shared with me. Sandi Prows literally fed me for years. But more than that, if I want to make caramel popcorn or slush for some event, the recipe and it's accompanying fabric draped binder that I made with Sandi, is the one I pull out.

Barbara Sweat.... my piano teacher and good friend; she fed my spirit and my heart with love and attention while in my teenage years. She fed me not only with her musical knowledge, but with the time and attention I needed to be heard; either singing or talking. She encouraged me to feast on the beautiful music of this world and also indulged my desires for musical junk food; Proud Mary, anyone?

My point is that at different points in my life, my spirit has been hungry and in need of nourishment.... and I have been blessed with these women, and countless others, who fed me in one way or another. Thankfully, our Father in Heaven has made us all different; like a personality potluck. We can take what we need and share what we can. I believe that is my responsibility while I live on the earth. We all have a role to play and we may never know how one thing we say or do feeds another's spirit and edifies their soul.

So, in the spirit of this, I will keep pouring my heart and soul into the projects I work on. I will plan things to the nth degree so that no small detail is overlooked. And hopefully, when I fall short, the Lord will magnify my efforts so that those who may need the message or lesson I am sharing, can catch the vision and feel the love.

These pictures will show some of the fun we've had; the lessons we've learned and the lives that have hopefully been touched. And yes, they will also show that I am comfortable "over the top." But most importantly, I hope they show those who participate, that they are worthy of the effort that is spent on their behalf and that they will pay it forward when the opportunity arrises.