Food October 16, 2009
When someone is sick, friends bring food. And my parents have a lot of friends. A LOT. My parents’ house is overflowing with ham, chicken, rice, casseroles, pasta, vegetable dishes, bread, and soups. And desserts. Oh my word, the desserts! The counter is currently covered with two apple pies and a pumpkin pie, brownies, several batches of chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, zucchini bread, apple cinnamon bread, and a plate of lemon squares. 
Friends of our family have made sure that no matter what difficulty we’ve dealt with during the day, we’ll still get to sit down to a rich, home-cooked meal that night, and I am so thankful. It’s not just about the food itself, though the food has been amazing. It’s about all these people who love my parents and would do anything to make things easier for them. We all want to take my dad’s cancer away. We can pray for that, and of course we do, but how my dad feels and the course of his future belongs in the hands of God alone. The fact is that there’s very little anyone can physically do to make my dad feel better. But good friends don’t focus on that. They don’t dwell on the impossible feelings of helplessness that go along with a terminal cancer diagnosis. Instead they think about what they can do, and then they do it.
When we finally get around to dinner, usually at 8pm or so, I can’t help but think about the friends who made it, who coordinated the meal schedule, planned the menu, went shopping, cooked and baked, and finally arranged for it to arrive at a specific time – a big chore since many of them live two hours away near my parents’ old house in 
Chicago. I’m sure at some point my mom, the queen of note-writing, will thank each person, but I wanted to offer my thanks as well. If you’ve sent something tasty our way, please know we are so grateful for it.
Cancer is awful. But as my family walks this scary path, we know that we aren’t alone. God is with us, and so are a lot of good friends. A LOT. And once again, I can’t help but notice that in these dark days, God’s blessings on us are more apparent than ever.
Praise the Lord for being showered with the blessing of meals made and comfort food delights! We miss you!
Linni,
C.S. Lewis once said, “God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.”
From one of those families- who loves your family deeply, we pray that God gives you the strength you need for Today. We pray that your moments together are precious and full and that God continues to work in and through your family.
We love you.
HI LINNI,
I THINK OF YOU CONSTANTLY. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING THROUGH A NORMAL DAY AS I THINK OF YOU ALL THERE. MY HEART LONGS TO BE WITH YOU ALL AS YOU GO THROUGH THIS JOURNEY. I CONSIDER YOU TO BE MORE LIKE A SIBLING TO ME AND YOUR PARENTS ARE JUST A SECOND SET OF PARENTS. YOU ARE SO PRECIOUS TO ME. I LOVE YOU. PLEASE SEND MY LOVE TO EVERYONE.
JULIA
We are a people who “do things.” When one can do nothing else, cooking and providing for the physical needs of a loved one brings a certain joy to the provider. At the same time that the cook is preparing a delicious entree or dessert, they’re praying, and lifting a burden that seems so mundane, but to the recipient, can mean the difference between a meal or no meal at all. I’m glad that you’ve had so many looking out for you, and providing the nourishment you all needed while taking care of your dad. Our Father is the God of Manna, and many times, he showers it so abundantly upon us.