Monday, July 2, 2012

Holy Picnic

Somewhere I saw a quote from Erma Bombeck  about the way Americans celebrate the fourth of July and I thought of it again when I woke up in the early morning (too early to get up for real).  I came upon the ULTIMATE picnic: when Jesus fed the five thousand.  
 Because I watched a few interviews of poets on a dvd I received from The Academy of American Poets (a free gift - I gave just a tiny amount of money), I was enjoying a bit of word play.  Everyone who likes to shuffle words in sentences and say things in different ways is a poet, you know.  Here is my beginning:


When Jesus fed the five thousand with ample portions of bread and fish, the hungry listeners participated in a most holy and provisional picnic.
Words of divine love floated out among them, weaving around shoulders to rounded backs and back to breasts.
Food-words, worthy of soul satisfaction, appeasing a raw-truth hunger, drew the somebodies to the Life-One, the heart-filler.


Oh, for a picnic to be sustaining is such a way.  I read a bit of Edith Schaeffer's The Hidden Art of Homemaking, too.  She shares about feeding the hungry homeless men that happened to come upon her house in a town where Francis was a pastor.  The way she explains the fare she prepared for homeless ones resonates in a caregiver's soul:
"I would get out a tray, put the kettle on, and look in the fridge for some leftover soup.  Into a small pan would go the soup, with the gas under it. I would cut bread, enough for two big sandwiches (not too thin, he'll be hungry) and wonder what sort of home he had when he was a boy- and wonder who he is, or whether maybe he is an angel in disguise!  I would butter the bread, cut a lovely big tomato in even slices and pepper them, place them on the bread, and then decide to add bacon.  I would sizzle one slice to fold over the tomato and add two leaves of lettuce.  For the second sandwich I'd prepare my favorite:  walnut halves stuck into the butter, salted on one slice, and then the second piece of buttered bread placed on top.  A diagonal cut through the first sandwich showed red tomato and green lettuce attractively displayed in the slash.  The walnuts crunched as the knife went diagonally through the second sandwich.  Alternating these four triangles on a lovely dinner plate came next, with pickle trim on one, and parsley on the other.  Now for the steaming hot soup left over from our lunch.  I would put a good bowl of this on a tray, and the children would help me fix a tiny bouquet of flowers nested in an ivy leaf.
"What'll he THINK of that, Mummy?"  Priscilla would ask with big, wondering eyes.
"Well, perhaps he'll remember something in his past - perhaps he had a very nice home once, where he had meals prepared for him.  Anyway, he'll stop and think, and we'll give him this little Gospel of John to read while he is eating."


Don't you LOVE that?  Have you read Karen Mains old book Open Heart, Open Home?  I read it as a young bride.  It's a lovely encouragement to share with others just as Edith shares above.  Jesus really did set the perfect example when he hosted that lovely hillside picnic long ago, didn't He?


 As I was watching the poet interviews it occurred to me that many people who work with words do not know the true Word Source, but they are still given grace to say their piece.  


I ordered a book that I've had before and given away.  My mother introduced me to this author long ago.  We both like her and her interesting life.  She's gone now, but this book holds her complete works.  Read the little blurb I photographed and tell me what you think.


 The lilies came out to say, "Happy birthday, America!"

I dug out my poetry journal from last year.  It has pockets and picture storage pages, too.  Isn't that an exquisite watering can?  


During the school year, I do not like Mondays (kids are cranky) but during the summer I LOVE MONDAYS.  They are full of promise.  I made a strawberry rhubarb pie that truly flopped and is not photogenic, but it tastes wonderful.  I put a little almond extract in it and I am going to have it for breakfast with my tea.  
Later, I am going to sew.   I watched "Miss Potter" yesterday and knit a stripe or two.  I took a delicious nap.  
Life is simply sweet.

17 comments:

M.K. said...

Pom, the words of this post were nourishment to me too! I wanted to read more from Mrs. Carr -- those "family" visits sound so wonderful. Why don't we do those anymore?
You have gotten me thinking about this preparing business. That Edith Schaeffer book was one of my mother's favorites, but I've never read it. I should. Have a gracious, delicious day, dear! Rest, read, sew, knit. Store up all the treasures in your summery heart, to share with the children again.

Fat Dormouse said...

Strawberry rhubarb pie - mmmmmmmmm!! RASPBERRY and rhubarb pie even better!!!
Don't worry about the Willows three. I've given Mr D strict instructions to send them directly to Floss. After jolly japes all around the world, sitting in a box for abut 6 weeks would not be fun for them!!! They must go on to Floss! Sorry to be missing the fun, but it can't be helped.

magsmcc said...

This post will be blessing me for days PP, but Miss Potter- that's the name of the movie I want to show the boys! We were watching our semi-animated BP DVD the other day, where the non-book bits are scenes of BP writing and posting the original letters from her home, filmed in her house in the Lake District which we all visited on holiday a few years ago now! That's it! I had forgotten the title- I want to get it and Chariots of Fire to show them this month. Oh if only we had been feeling well enough to go shopping today. We are worn out so from our busy weekend, so you see, I'm not such a good mummy after all! If we had gone shopping and been well maybe I could have jumped up to bake a pie too? No, I fear not! Such a post, PP. Such a gracious, God-filled, life-touching post. Thank you x

magsmcc said...

And I like this Emily Carr. I could take the boys there, I think, without too much trepidation!

Gumbo Lily said...

I appreciate that Jesus knew that we needed to be fed. Feeding people is important ministry isn't it? That section of Edith Schaeffer's book is one of my favorite expcerpts. Again, it shows how important it is to feed people.

Feeding people The Good Word is important too, but sometimes I have to have my belly full before I can focus on the Truth.

I love this post very much. Your poetry is good for my soul. Thank you, Pommie.

I'm planning to give my little Peach a a watering can for her birthday. She loves to use mine when she is here.

Happy Monday!

Left-Handed Housewife said...

Such a lovely post, Pom! I like Mondays in summer, too. Sometimes in winter, Monday signals a week to get through, but in summer, the week seems to hold more possibilities. Enjoy yours!

xofrances

Lynn said...

You write so beautifully Pom Pom - you always inspire me to be happy and peaceful.
Love the extract you photo'd
I loved that part of the Schaeffer book when I first read it and it still hits the spot as does the open heart book. How lovely it would be to peruse each other's bookshelves - I suspect we would have some of the same books!!
L.x.

Buz said...

Those two books have been very influential on how I think about life. I have never read any of Emily Carr -- I will have to check it out.

GretchenJoanna said...

I was reading M.K.'s post sparked by your post and trying to think of the name of that book I had loved...then I came to your post, and there it is: Open Heart, Open Home. It made a huge impression on me as a young wife and mother.

Your linking of picnics and our Lord's miracle is inspired, and from now on I know I will always remember that He is our real Food when I am enjoying a summer picnic. Thank you, Pom!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I so enjoyed this post...I too read those books as an early bride, and probably need to dust them off and read again.

Your journals are inspiring....thanks for sharing. As for Emily Carr...well you have introduced me to someone new.

I enjoyed your poem...yes Holy Picnic...and yes many writers don't know the source who gave them their gift of writing..but all good writing points to the creator...Jesus

Leslie said...

I like Mondays too. They are filled with new possibilities. But I can't think of a day I don't like. I like your narration a lot. Not only is it creative and beautiful, but I imagine it really helps internalize God's Word in your memory. A very inspiring post, my dear. Thank you.

TexWisGirl said...

the pie sounds wonderful. the lilys are beautiful. and i love erma bombeck. :)

Attic Clutter said...

strawberry rhubarb pie ..yummmm
Happy 4th back'at'cha POM (:) hugs..Patty

Farm Girl said...

It is always a delight to read what is going on in your mind. I loved the passage you shared by Emily Carr. I will have to track it down.
I just got A Year at Lady Bug Farm. I hope it is good. After the 4th I will have some time to do the things I like. My chicken that I am making is just still a head and beak. My husband has been on vacation so sewing is not on the list of things I do when he is at home.
Soon though I will be back at my chicken. :)
Have a wonderful day.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

What a wonderful post and love how you've made it relevant. I always wonder at the 12 baskets of food left over...12 baskets, 12 disciples. I've always wondered at that...
Happy July 4th to you and yours!

Little Black Footprints said...

What a lovely blog and happy 4th of July.I must find that book in the UK looks fab x

Susan B said...

A very lovely post!

I love 'Miss Potter' though I haven't watched it in a long time.

I hope you are enjoying a lovely July 4th. :)

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