Willing participant...

The event after service, nailed home the content of the service so well. Let me explain...



Ok, so the service was amazing. It was all about being a willing, not reluctant, participant in fellowship with Him.


I love that because it ties in with what has been kinda a theme in my life a lot, lately.


I mean we all need Him to do the heavy lifting, but that doesn't mean we sit back and wait for His divine intervention, that we don't have a role. We are called to participate in the cause of God, to choose Him everyday, all day. To walk in service and love. It all starts in our thoughts, and follows through to our actions, and sometimes, our actions to our thoughts.



Ok so it sounds good right, until...


I tried to dash out before they got me, as that is how I roll. Get there right as they are starting and poof be gone, right after. I sit in the back row, right next to the exit, making sure no obstacle keeps me from getting outta there, lol.


Anyhooo, not today, two lovely ladies caught me and said..


Will you be here next week for the potluck and what can we count on you to bring?


Oh man, in my thoughts…no one wants my health dishes. I offered instead to help clean up after. I am good at that, lol. I said, with a real big smile, cooking is not my strength. They looked at me and said, ``No worries that will be great but maybe you could just grab something from the store. You don't have to cook anything".


Oh mannnn, dog gone it, I thought in my head...ugh. However, I just grabbed their clipboard and said, great idea, you are right. I signed up, a relish tray it is, lol. If I do stay and fellowship, you know, participate, lol, I still plan on helping with the clean up.


Clearly, I still need to work on my reluctant participation. Help me Lord, to walk in action, not just in word and notion. I guess it's time to ensure I help myself, serve others, as well!!


I am so honored to have a part in the Kingdom of God, to make Him and those who belong to Him a priority greater than my desire to please the flesh, which includes my, selfishly, doing as little as possible, (so guilty as charged,lol).

Well, at least you are not like those who never bring anything, first in line to fill their plate, and then a quick exit before the cleaning begins.
Seen that a lot over the years.

Huh...

Maybe those ladies were being pushy.

Maybe they HAVE to be pushy because nobody would bring anything otherwise.

Maybe wherever you live just has a different culture.

But if somebody in our church browbeat people into bringing stuff, the pastor might have a conversation about letting people participate willingly instead of holding their goodwill hostage.

Coming from a small church in southwest Tennessee, I'd say you don't have any reason to feel bad. But I am real curious why they were so demanding.

I am also curious what your go-to party food would be, if you knew people might want healthy but tasty food there.

I do this too... I haven't always been like this but experience has made me so.

It's something I've noticed at our church over the years. We have an event, and suddenly we need 200 volunteers to staff it. Yes, I'm exaggerating... but it does seem this way. If you're not part of the landscape team, the baptism team, the security team, the Lord's supper team, benevolence team, youth ministry, food distribution team, etc... Then you're just not doing enough... I'm not saying you shouldn't help at all, but what I am saying is that you should find your place, your ministry,... and do that.

I have also learned that the word "no" is a complete sentence and must be used accordingly.

Maybe they were hungry.

I make a greek yogurt dish, that is so good, filled with berries, and seeds, but when I have offered it to ppl, like my cousin who was visiting me...she said, um, that needs sugar. I don't think so, though, lol.

I also make spinach and kale salmon salad, yummy, filled will all kinds of food, like veggies, black olives, avocado, nuts, and egg... lots of ppl dont like Salmon or those kinds of greens. guess I could just do a roman lettuce salad, without Salmon.

One other is quinoa, and skinless steamed chicken and beats, mixed together with apple cider vinegrette....yummy.

Nice thing about pot luck is I can skip your dish and go straight to the hot dogs and chili.

I think helping with the clean up crew is good, lol. I don't mind the grunt work, lol. Yes, I am still trying to find my ministry. I am just sure what it is yet. Did you find yours?

Hahaha true indeed, but my point exactly. I think most would skip, haha. It's ok, hot dogs and chili are good in moderation too, lolol

I was the first they caught, and after I signed up, they laughed and said no one is getting out of here without signing up, everyone laughed. I did too. Dang them, lol. Hey I suppose chipping in is a good thing, lol, in the participation thing, lol.

That's part of the strategy. Distract you with that stuff, so all the good food won't be gone by the time I get through the line.

I'm not big on greek yogurt (it's always made with lowfat or nonfat milk for some reason...) but the other two dishes sound great!

Is the egg in the salad hard boiled and diced?

Can I get mine with extra avocado?

I have lived a healthy 76 years without that "good food" not going to chance a change now.

No, I haven't found my place yet. I have stepped away from everything I was involved in.

Yes you most def can, with hard boiled and diced eggs, coming right up, Don't do milk huh? I love milk. Lots say that isn't good for us but I love the stuff, prob too much.

You know that good food tastes good too, lol. But yay at 76 and healthy, fantastic!!!!

Well, all I can say is I hope you are doing ok.

Oh I do milk, a lot. I don't do "white water" nonfat milk though, which is what they use in a lot of greek yogurt.

I do cheeses, ice cream, homemade boiled custard, all kinds of dairy. But it must be made from real milk.

CharliRenee you would be an excellent greeter, you may have to push yourself a little but I'm thinking you'd put a smile on anyone's face. You know what I bring to 'gathering tables' is ice cold watermelon strips, it's always a hit and full of 'good nutrition stuff' lol.