A Reason

Kevin just wanted to know why.  Why would we give tea and coffee for free to people at these odd hours of the night, why we wouldn't discriminate amongst the rowdy crowd from the club, and why we were so patient with folk who maybe had a little more to drink than maybe they had intended.  It was a thought so unbelievable that it kept him in deep conversation with me for hours while we talked and served.  People can't seem to get past the answer, that it is about love, pure and simple.  People assume there must be some catch.  My athiest friend who has been helping serve each week chimes in, "I've been with them for months and still haven't figured it out.  Trust them, it is that simple."

So now it is 5:30 am on Saturday morning and I am just getting into bed, after writing this of course.  My legs feel like the cold is coming from within and radiating out, which makes my blankets feel useless, but they will help block out the light soon enough which makes them important.  My body is aching and my brain is struggling to figure out how few words I can say this all in so I can go on and get to sleep.

Why do I do this?

Because He first loved me.  (I John 4)

It really is that simple.

The truth is that we don't need tea and coffee for this.  Just imagine how much our communities would change if we all started living our faith publicly by simply showing God's love indiscriminately.  We are talking about the transforming power of Christ here.  Just see what He can do through our willing and surrendered hearts.  I dare us all.

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A Good Day

These days I find myself exhausted constantly because of some health problems with which I have been dealing.  So when my morning meeting was canceled and I knew that the day would go at a slower pace, I'll admit I was a little relieved.   I was able to get a good amount done before heading to Harbour Mill House for our Tea and Coffee Drop-in.  I caught this bit of sky on my way there.

 

Here is another view from the quay on which Harbour Mill House sits.

It's beautiful isn't it!  Of course only in Ireland can you have this sunny day with only a few clouds, and still be rained on while standing in a freezing wind!  After running a few errands, I returned home to my kitchen filled with the tempting smells of the morning's labours.  

I had sweated some onions, carrots, celery and a parsnip in a bit of olive oil with salt and garlic.

  I always make sure to use the leafy bits of celery as well as they seem to add a lot of flavor and also look pretty floating in broth.  Of course I had to use some fresh sage from my summer container garden.

Then came the remains of the roasted chicken I had made for company on Sunday.  Irish chickens are amazing, so juicy and full of flavor.   It doesn't look so amazing with most of it gone, but any soup lover knows the potential of such a thing.

Topped off with water and some seasoning and it remained simmering until I left.  Now at home I sit in silence.  It was a calm day, but productive and not rushed.  I am tired, but not broken.  I am thankful.  I am breathing.

I am happy to be in this moment...

in my warm home with this bowl of soup

under this evening sky.

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