Search

Just toast... with grape jelly

Toast with grape jelly has become quite the symbol for me... the symbol of comfort, adding in a bit of chuckle - I 'll explain in a minute.  I know, growing up, my mom fixed toast with grape jelly for me.

 (Except for that year in high school when I decided I didn't like any breakfast food.  My wise mother asked me what I wanted to eat [you have to eat something in the morning 😏].  I suggested chicken noodle soup, to which she agreed.  So, for that school year, I enjoyed a bowl of chicken noodle soup every single morning.)

So, after Frank and I got married, my sweet momma attended every birth of each baby along with  every traumatic event (most of them medical craziness) in our family.  In the midst of them all, she graciously served toast with grape jelly.  I don't remember us talking about it, or even me requesting it, the toast just came, and it was good.

When our four-year-old Katie had heart surgery, Frank and I both stayed at the hospital the first night.  Katie was in ICU, so we could only go in the room every four hours for 5 minutes.  The "family" room was filled to overflowing, and we were so exhausted.  The waiting room chairs were connected with bars at the armrest, so there was no way to even lean over to rest.  A thoughtful nurse saw our plight and brought us sheets, blankets and pillows, so we literally set our "campsite" right there in the middle of the waiting room, yes, on the floor.  We finally got settled, thinking we might close our eyes for a moment:  I popped straight up and said,
 "Frank, I need some toast with grape jelly!" 

After much discussion with overwhelming emotion and delirious laughter about the fact that is was 3:00 am, I agreed to wait until morning really came.  Frank graciously delivered the toast and grape jelly from the cafeteria around 6:00 am.

One morning this week, as I enjoyed some time at my kitchen table with the Lord, my journal, some study materials, and my Bible, I had a little time to just ponder... to think through the events of the past weeks:  beautiful wedding day for our youngest daughter and son-in-law, sweet news of coming grandbaby from another daughter, challenging circumstances for several friends, unexpected diagnosis,  births and deaths for some close to us, unrelenting pain, celebration of Easter Sunday and the HOPE of Jesus through His resurrection.  Your list goes on just like mine.  I felt a simple overwhelming swirl of chaos.  I haven't had toast with grape jelly in years... I was surprised and thankful to even find the jar in the refrigerator..


It was sweet and brought comforting memories.  As I sat back in my chair and pondered this kitchen table scene, I was so gently reminded of where my "comfort comes from", where my "peace that passes understanding" begins and ends, where my "strength and refuge" firmly stand.  I do enjoy my toast and grape jelly, but beyond any shadow of a doubt, I know my Redeemer lives... Jesus.

And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   Isaiah 9:6

...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lor,d to the glory of the God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11



No comments

Post a Comment