Challenge # 5 - Meal Ministry

There have been many things in my life that have ministered to me and blessed me beyond words. One of those things was the simple kindness of a meal. After I had my stroke I was unable to handle my normal day to day household responsibilities. I had so many beautiful friends and family who came alongside my family and made meals for us. For six months we were blessed rotten by various people providing meals. I can not tell you how much not having to worry about my next meal in a time of crisis blessed my heart. So this month’s challenge stems from my experience being overwhelmingly blessed by the ministry of a meal.

This challenge is for you to in some way provide a meal for two individuals this month. Maybe that means that you buy a coworker lunch for “no reason” or that you make a meal for an elderly neighbor. Maybe you call up a friend and invite her out for breakfast just for a time of encouragement. You could invite a family from your church or your neighborhood over to share dinner with your family. You may be bold enough to provide a bag lunch to a homeless person in your town, or pay for the lunch of the person standing behind you in the fast food line. This challenge can take place in many different ways. I encourage you to get creative with this challenge. I specifically made this challenge for two individuals, so if you do one meal for a family of four, then you have already gone above and beyond the expectation here. Keep in mind that when I set the guidelines for the challenges I do so knowing that we still have other obligations and I try to keep them well within the realm of doable. I want these challenges to be a blessing to you as well as for those who are on the receiving end of them. I have no intention of setting lofty goals only to fall short before we even get started.

I encourage you to bless two people this month with a meal. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just please be sure you are doing it with a loving spirit. No one likes to be labeled a charity case. Pour out an abundance of love with a little bit of food and you will not only bless someone, you will find yourself blessed as well. Blessings to you as you bless others!