8. I know how to collaboratively prepare food for roughly 40 people in roughly an hour–I'm talking a straight up feast: Caribbean chicken, steamed veggies, banana boats, smores, fresh fruit, monkey bread biscuits, oatmeal, hard boiled eggs!
So we got to go on an outing! We were all pretty stoked that we were going to get to head out for our first true squad activity, a campout! It was handsdown one of the best experiences of the week. Of course, the most important part of the whole campout was the food.
It was hilarious. The food was revealed and it was as if the clouds parted and the very doors of heaven were opened as the angels sang over the feast of food that had been given to us. We were given chicken, veggies, tons of fruit, several spices and seasonings and some great junk food. [Know that up until this point we had been learning about being gracious when it comes to our food. More on that in tomorrow's post.] We were given complete free reign in how we wanted to cook it. Being the huge fan of the kitchen that I am, I was overly excited and wanted to make sure that I was part of the cooking team.
There were roughly 12-15 of us that wanted a part of the cooking madness that was about to occur. Sidenote: it was about 7pm and we hadn't eaten since noon, both the men and women had done a highly physical retreat earlier that afternoon [you heard about the women's retreat in yesterday's post] so we were all extremely drained, and it was post 45 minute hike carrying all materials you could ever need for a campout. People were tired and had been pushed to their limits, but the idea of food was bringing joyous banter among at the very thought of amazing food filling our tummies. So the cooking team comes together, we all quickly realize that each of us have different expertise, each of which play a vital role in the success of the dinner feast.
An hour later, we had ramen with Caribbean jerk chicken, steamed veggies and bread for dinner to be followed by smores and banana boats! Breakfast was oatmeal, fresh fruit, monkey bread greatness and coffee.
It was the best dinner I've ever eaten, not because of how tasty it was, not because of how much food there was but because of how evident the Lord made himself to me in that moment.
For anyone who knows me at all, you know that I am very much a "my way or the highway" kind of person and that typically, no matter how much I attempt a "go with the flow" attitude when I'm leading something up, I tend to epically fail. I have this thing where I want to make sure that I do every single part of whatever has been put before me so that I can make sure the words that come out of my mouth are words of certainty, that everything is done just the way I want and in just the timing that I want. It's how I function, delegation and I don't typically get along.
In this instance, that wasn't the case.
I loved being part of a team of 12-15 that were gifted in cooking and being able to enjoy their talents. Getting to stand back and watch them soak up the excitement knowing that they were going to shine in that very moment. They they were going to get to be responsible for the fulfillment people were about to have. That may not seem like a big deal to you, but to me, I was able to recognize in the team what I look forward to experiencing at the end of a long task. Satisfaction in knowing that all the work was worth it because it met the needs of others.
I barely helped with the cooking. I ate my words several times. I had a lot of people all asking questions with varying opinions. There was a demand that needed to be met. All of these things would normally make me up in arms and overly aggressive, quick to shut down and walk away in defeat.
However, instead I was able to see the situation with His eyes. There were all these workers that were so eager to serve, so eager to meet the need, so eager to fulfill others. Once they knew the plan, they found their purpose. That's what He does every day, He reminds us, here's your plan, now you know your purpose. I'm hoping that He keeps that perspective fresh in my heart.
In fact, since that meal, I think of the joy it brought my heart when it was all said and done every time I eat.
