| Guest Post by Debbie Chun |
Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24
I’m not a foodie. I don’t like cooking. I don’t eat adventurously. But still, it has been through food that people have shown me love.
When I was pregnant with our first child, I experienced sudden complications. Only halfway through the pregnancy, I found myself being rushed to the hospital in labor. I would have to deliver this baby, but he would not survive.
In the month that followed, ladies from my parents’ church (the church I grew up in and that my husband had also attended for many years), began bringing us dinners. At a time when I could barely function, when sadness felt overwhelming, our physical needs were being met through these dinners. If those meals didn’t arrive, it’s likely we wouldn’t have eaten. Losing a child turns your world upside down.
Several months later, I was pregnant again. I was convinced everything would be ok this time, but halfway through the pregnancy I experienced more complications. Thankfully the doctors were able to perform surgery and keep the baby safe. The only challenge is that I had to be on bedrest for four months. Flat on my back in bed.
After losing my first son, I knew that bedrest literally meant life or death for this baby inside me. I was committed to laying flat, which meant not only would dinners be helpful, but I would need someone to make me lunch every day.
My sister started a meal train. Friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and friends of friends started signing up. First week, two months from now, three months from now. Every sign-up showed me love and support. Every sign-up was showing me that people were believing with me that God would give us a full-term baby. The doctors kept saying he’d come early. But I prayed and believed God would give us a full-term baby.
Four months of bedrest came and went with friends stopping by everyday, dinners several times a week, Starbucks delivered, board games played, movies watched, and any other entertainment people brought to me. Bedrest ended at 37 weeks and the doctors expected the baby to come right away. Since 37 weeks is considered full-term, I trusted God had answered my prayer! However, that baby didn’t come until almost 41 weeks when I was induced! God had answered my prayers in miraculous ways giving me a healthy, full-term baby boy.
All those friends who brought meals and spent time with me, they rejoiced alongside us as we celebrated our new baby. They were part of the journey, showing us love and support through their generous offering of food.
If you have a friend with a new baby, or a friend on bedrest, bring them a meal. It won’t matter what you cook, they won’t remember. They’ll only remember that you showed them love.
How has God revealed His love to me through food and/or friendship?
Read more from Debbie at Debbiechun.com
Yes! Meals were the biggest blessing when I had both of my daughters. I was amazed by the love shown to me & my family, even by people I didn’t even know. I love giving back to people thru meals & other deliveries:)