We got pounded last night. It’s like getting wasted, but the opposite. Back in the day, when folks fell on hard times, their friends and neighbors would give them a pounding. That means they’d bring a pound of flour, a pound of sugar, a pound of butter, etc. These basic provisions would see them through til their situation changed. I think it might be a southern thing.
Here in the South, if someone has troubles, we feed them. If you hear tell of a neighbor who’s died, out come the casseroles. And even more comforting is a vat of country style steak and gravy. Throw in a foot tub of potato salad, and you’re almost glad for the suffering. For those who are sick, chicken soup must be drunk in large quantities. Never mind that the ailment is a broken toe. Soak that sucker in some Epsom salts and drink your chicken soup. You’ll be up and running in no time.
My cure for everything is a batch of cookies. The mailman, the doctor, neighbors … honey, you’re gonna get cookies, and you’re gonna know that at least one person in this world cares about you. God will give you a new body in Gloryland. Shut up and eat your cookies.
So anyway, our Life Group loves us so much. We really don’t do more than gather them all to the same place each Thursday night for food, folks, and fun, kinda like McDonald’s but with Scripture. And for sure I always come away feeling better than if I’d been at McDonald’s. [Apologies to Ronald; I love your house for sick kids. You da man, even though your clown face freaks me out a little.]
Annyyywayyy… our Life Group knew I had been out of work a year and that we could use a boost. HOLY COW! Look at all that peanut butter, and brownie mix, and beans and rice and Jiffy mix, and jelly, and laundry detergent, and plastic wrap, and… Praise God, TOILET PAPER! Dear Lord You are amazing! They even gave us gift cards to Walmart so we could get anything else we needed. One family brought a box of frozen hamburger patties. That’s why I was justified in saying Holy Cow.
And you know what makes this so sweet? I know that most of them are going through some very, very difficult times as well. I should be blessing THEM!
But isn’t that exactly like the Lord? Just when we are overwhelmed by His goodness, and we wish we could do more for Him, He pours out even more on us.
Thank You Lord today, for our Life Group, for Your provision through them, for Your constant care. Strengthen all those struggling. Help us always be mindful of the needs of others. You Lord, are amazing!
Before
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After!
Wow! God is so amazing! He blesses us above all that we could ask or imagine! So thankful that we have seen that blessing personally so many times in our family! Glory be to HIM!
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Isn’t He amazing?! It’s times like this that remind me that He will take care of my children and their needs too. How Awesome is that?!!!
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That is really awesome, Lynna!!! I remember one time when Terry and I were on hard times. Some very wonderful people gave us a pounding. I had never heard of it. I was so amazed at their love for us and for HIM. We ate on all of that food for a LONG time!!!!
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Thanks Karen. Isn’t great to be cared for in a very practical way?
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A Pounding is a new term for me. But being blessed with practical help is familiar! Thank you for being the ones to help when Jerry & I moved to NC, and your family brought us a couple of grocery bags with the basics to get started in a new home. We’ve been able to return the favor to other people, since then. And, yes, I remember when 3 nieces said–we don’t charge for babysitting when you are going to job interviews. 🙂
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Sweet! What a blessing to “pay it forward.” Thanks Carol!
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