Gratitude Day 241

Sat., Mar. 30, 2019

Acts 2:46-47 – Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Why is it that food always tastes better at a lunch counter?

If you haven’t tried this lately, I suggest you do.

On Sunday, Hubby Rick and I attended worship with Marcus and Melissa, along with their sons, Rocky and Dakota. As we entered the church building, Dakota asked his Mom about eating lunch afterwards. She explained that it would be a little early for lunch and so, McDonald’s and Pizza Ranch were not options. But, we could have brunch. Three-year-old Dakota was a little confused by brunch. I explained to Rocky brunch meant eggs and pancakes. This got his attention!

It was nearing the end of worship when Rocky asked me, “How soon can we go for pancakes?” Oh, a boy after my own heart!

We chose a diner that none of us had been to before. As we parked the car, Rick and I commented on how small the joint looked and how many cars were in the parking lot. Mind you, we were arriving at prime brunch time. Inside the door, we realized there probably wasn’t a table big enough for all of us. Rocky looked at the counter and said, “Can’t we eat here?” And so, we did.

We sat on black stools next to a turquoise counter. The tile underneath the counter was alternating black and white tiles, just like you would expect in an old-fashioned diner. The coffee maker was right in front of us and next to it were dirty dishes, placed quickly by the one waitress who was running the show. We could see into the kitchen and saw when our food was placed on the window ledge between the kitchen and the serving area.

Rocky’s eyes were bigger than his stomach as he ordered pancakes, eggs and bacon. While he ate one pancake that “was as big as his head,” he had plenty to take home for supper later in the day.

For me, this is a great way to enjoy Sunday morning. Worship and time together having a meal with friends. It reminds me of the scripture from the end of Acts 2, shared above. This is a description of the early Christian church. It’s after Jesus has gone back to heaven. The disciples continue the ministry Jesus began. What did this group of followers of Jesus do? The worshipped together and they broke bread, i.e. – ate, together. This is how they, and we, get to know God, each other and develop community with each other.

Rick and I often enjoy Sunday mornings this way. Two weeks ago, we ate brunch with a larger group of people. Yes, we were a little noisy. Rick wasn’t sure we should go back to this restaurant right away. He was afraid we’d be recognized as one of the “rowdy” bunch. As we were leaving the restaurant that day, the waitress shared with us how wonderful it is to see a group of people having such a good time together.

Christians don’t have to be stuffy all the time.

We enjoy these Sunday outings when they are able to happen. Maybe this past Sunday was just a little special as we witnessed a couple boys have their first experience at a lunch counter. Everyone agreed we should do it again soon!

Thanks for worship and brunch, Marcus, Melissa, Rocky and Dakota. It was a great Sunday morning!

For worship and brunch with friends, I am grateful.

Holy God – thanks for the wonderful witness of the early Christians who worshipped and broke bread together. I pray we see these as vital ways of developing Christian community today. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne

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