The thread

I thought this was interesting enough to deserve a post. Most people wouldn't believe me, but I assure you it's all true and the people are not actors or ever seek any recognition. Just the vessels that God chooses to use in everyday life...Just because He's God.

My Dad made his usual trip out to California last week. He had a good trip- a load of Sargento cheeses. A couple boxes were torn- the packages in tact, but nontheless...unacceptable to the supplier. So as in cases before, my dad keeps whatever is rejected and if there's a good amount, will give it away when he returns home. Sometimes it's oranges, toilet paper(long ago), lunch meat, etc. Well this particular load like I said was small prepackaged 1 cup sized shredded mozarella. I was talking to him on the phone while he was out in CA waiting for his next load and he asked if I wanted any. I said, absolutely! Cheese doesn't get moldy around here!! He had give a case of provolone to a Mexican who was quite grateful and said he'd put it on his tacos. So the rest of the cheese made it's way back here to us. I made homemade pizza the other night and planned to make lasagna last night.
As the day went on, I found myself thinking often of my neighbors. They are very sweet- an elderly mother and her daughter, who is in her forties. The daughter hurt her knee severely this fall. She had one surgery and is to undergo another on the 11th. She's been off work, has no insurance, and is staying with her mom who is a modest woman. She makes due with what she has and shares any extra. She has a few times brought extra bread or canned goods to us. A real blessing at just the time we needed them. I've given cookies or whatever at times as well, but really the majority of the time, they are the blessing to us. So as I was going about my day, I kept feeling in my heart that I should bring them some lasagna after I made it. I do not exaggerate to say that I thought this thought probably seven times yesterday. What I also kept remembering was the verse that I heard said at some point in the last week. 1 Peter 4:9. "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." I think I heard it at Bob's funeral when their son was talking about how Bob would invite 20 people their home after church and told them that Doris would whip something up. Never giving her advance warning, but she never complained either. I didn't even realize this verse existed until this week.
Now after hearing this prompting several times, I knew it was from God. I know his voice, even if sometimes I don't always do what he is telling me. I made the lasagna. I cut the pieces a little skinnier so that there would be enough for Paul's lunch and also to give to my neighbors. Maybe they didn't have supper last night, maybe they are struggling, I don't know, but they were so thankful and ate it right away. I listened to God and I did what he said. Do you know what happened next?
Paul's Dad called and asked Paul to help him go and look at a truck. He needed to grab a flashlight cause it was dark by this time. They went down the highway and looked at partially smashed truck. His dad is pretty good at body work and has repaired smashed vehicles before. It is very similar to my Dad's truck. The guy that is selling it was laid off recently, has a child and girlfriend and are in desparate need of some money. Kind of the ongoing story in the UP. When they got back to our house, Paul's dad turned to Paul and said, if you want it- I'll get it for you and fix it. It can fit all the kids, it's newer and in good shape. Now, we have had a real blessing in the vehicles we have. They are paid for, on their last leg, but they aren't falling apart at the present time. Well, Paul's door on his truck doesn't really close, it's rusted so bad parts of the floor are gone, but it too was a blessing from a friend- it was given to us for FREE and was better on gas than our Ford. It's a strong runner. Paul has had it for about a little over a year. Paul doesn't complain. He has always had the beater vehicle. I've dreamed of him having a nice truck someday.
So did my little lasagna warrant a truck falling into our lap? I guess if you think in terms of God giving back more than what we give- but it sure seems like an awfully big blessing. I hesitated. How would it be on gas, what would the insurance be, how much will it be to fix and how would we pay his dad for it. Well, God worked it all out today. The insurance is the same as our S-10, some of the parts and paint will be bartered through a friend at work, and we'll sell our FORD that currently is merely a deterrant for motorists to take our corner slower. The gas mileage is apparently the same as our s-10 also. So I've prayed that this is God will, that this is His blessing and not just our desire.
Here's the cool thing- it all started with mozarella cheese. What you choose to do with what you have determines what you will be blessed with. That's what I have learned. And the young guy who is selling his truck, well hopefully he'll be blessed as well. Maybe he has bills to pay, or groceries to buy. So thank you for the cheese, Dad- may you see a blessing also from it.