It had been months since we’d spoken. No ill wishes or big falling out, nothing dramatic at all, just a quieted text thread and a pandemic ending any get-togethers. Then one day, she called. Not even texted, she straight called me on the actual phone. She said, “I’m dropping off a box on your porch! Be there soon.”
I’d just had my fourth baby. My other three kids were distance learning. I was still on maternity leave, covered in days of spit-up and sweat, the hormones still coursing through my frazzled body and brain. I’d mentioned somewhere online that the dishes and snack requests in my kitchen were never-ending and how it would be nice to have a break from the constant asks for and remnants of food.
My friend saw that mention online and showed up on my doorstep with snacks. So. Many. Amazing. Snacks. She brought fruit snacks and cheesy crackers, Pop-Tarts and mug cake mix. She also brought several prepared meals, complete with desserts, so all I had to do was pop them in the oven. She included little fun surprises and treats that she knew would bring each of us joy and save me at least a week of food prep.
That box of snacks and food was like manna.
Not only did it save me time in planning a week of meals and snacks, it saved me ordering them from the grocery store, driving for pick up, bringing them home and putting them away. Her gift removed a huge task from my brain and to-do list. It brought us all such joy, the fun of having new-to-us items (I mean, she really brought the good stuff!), and most of all, it gave me a major jolt of love.
Are you familiar with the five love languages? The idea is that each of us is wired to both give and receive love in several specific ways, with one way usually being the most meaningful to us. The five languages are quality time, acts of service, gifts, words of affirmation, and physical touch. Depending on the recipient, each of these acts can convey love. It’s a helpful lens through which to view the ways we can offer love, asking “How can I best minister to their individual, handcrafted, made-by-God heart?”
Most adults and kids gravitate toward a certain language. In our home, we have two quality time loving hearts, a physical touch seeker, and an acts of service lover. My language is gifts, though my husband likes to say that my love language is actually “being thought of.” Basically if someone does something, anything from any of those five languages, without prompting from me, it feels to me that they were thinking of me and that I mattered enough for them to act on those thoughts.
When my friend dropped that box of snacks off at my door, she loudly declared my love language. She saw my post, took it to heart, shopped with me in mind, and delivered a box of love. She spoke care through the ministry of snacks.
Wouldn’t it be a gift to the world if we truly lived like that? Reaching out whenever our heart is nudged in the direction of a friend. Sending a text or card. Offering up words of heartfelt prayer. Dropping off a few basic groceries or a fancy coffee. Picking up the actual telephone and calling them. Going over for a (socially distant/masked/outdoor) visit. Helping with the kids or laundry. It doesn’t take much, really, to let people know that they are being thought of and cared for. It doesn’t take mountain-moving acts to speak love languages and to act on them in ways both big and small.
All of these acts scream love, no matter what love language the recipient speaks. What could it look like for you to love your neighbor in a “being thought of” kind of way? I assure you, this kind of love is a ministry in and of itself. When God calls us to love our neighbor, small acts of love count too.
2020 brought a lot of change and challenge. May this still very new year bring ministry, hope, peace, joy, and great acts of love in all forms.
Leave a Comment
Ginny Kappler says
What a wonderful encouragement. I pray God will bless you in proportion to the blessing you
are to others. Keep the “loving” suggestions coming, please.
Anna E. Rendell says
Thanks for being here, Ginny!
Linda Wilson says
I have decided this year to send one card a week. Not for a birthday,get well or anything specific just because. I’m going to keep track so I don’t do a repeat. I’m going to pray about it and see who God lays on my heart that needs a little boost!
Kellie Johnson says
I love this idea! Everybody loves mail that’s personal 🙂
Kellie
Beth Kanellis says
What a great idea. One of my weaknesses is not keeping in touch.
I will share a recent experience that you may like to do.
A few weeks ago, my husband and I received a “thinking of you” card from a church member who had switched congregations a few years back, and we haven’t kept in touch. Inside the card were two tea bags. I thought that was such a sweet idea! It upped the “thoughtfulness” factor exponentially for me. I decided I want to include a tea bag or two any time I send a card (whenever that may be…remember my weakness…I am so bad).
Anna E. Rendell says
Linda, that’s a beautiful idea. What a gift that will be to both you and the recipients!
Cindy Vaucher says
You article encouraged me this morning as we have moved to a new house and I have been praying how to love a neighbor that is difficult to get to know . So God told me to share some Christmas food/ snacks…. In doing this a relationship is developing… and then I read your to our post and I was encouraged this
J says
Love that this was for you too! Please see my post here. It sounds like your neighbour needs & has just recently been blessed with a good neighbour
Anna E. Rendell says
Cindy that is so cool!! I’m proud of you.
J says
This is exactly what God prompted me to do yesterday! For someone who is not speaking to me (for loving them as Jesus has led me to) – please pray for me. I love the work God has done in my heart through the toughest experiences of my life. Please also know that your neighbour & you for sharing this post have been used by God today in the most perfect timing to assure me that HE IS STILL HERE & I continue to pray that He will bring the wanderer from Himself, home. Calling tenderly x
Anna E. Rendell says
He is indeed still here, with you, J. Know that you were prayed for today.
Carla says
I’ve done a couple of things, and am now encouraged to do more. I’ve bought a half a lemon meringue pie, and dropped it off at a friend’s house just because it’s her favorite. She lives alone. I made up 3, 4th of July jars with mints and decorated the jar, and dropped them off. And the last thing I did was drop off 2 packages of sugar free cookies to a widower. As you can see nothing took much time or money.
(Plus I’ve dropped off several snack bags to a friend quarantined in an assisted living home for months.)
margueritecoutinho@yahoo.co.uk says
You are kind. 🙂
Anna E. Rendell says
Love those thoughtful acts of service, Carla!
Irene says
I love, love, love this! And I must try to live this! That will be my 2021 challenge. Bring it on!
Anna E. Rendell says
Bring it on indeed!! We got this, Irene!
Nancy says
I love this! What a great reminder to listen to that little nudge and follow through with with an act of love, even a small one, for my neighbor! Thank you!
Anna E. Rendell says
Thanks Nancy. Each act of love adds up!
Becky Keife says
I love this so much, Anna! The ministry of snacks. Yes! It’s the little things that become the biggest when we’re reminded that someone cared enough to move from thought to action on our behalf. Hooray for friends and our Lord who always loves us well.
Anna E. Rendell says
Thank you, my friend.
margueritecoutinho@yahoo.co.uk says
You are indeed blessed to have such a wonderful friend like that. Hold on to her fast and don’t ever let go!
Dr. Jeanne Sheffield Estrada says
This was so touching. Thank you! I am a pastor with NotesOnLife.org ministry and I am posting this on my Face Book page.
May God Bless Your “Snack Ministry” and may it touch our hearts to reach out with the love of Christ to bless others at all times throughout the year.
Please visit our web site and also our television programs at: NotesOnLife.org/TV
Marinalva Sickler says
Dear Anna, what a beautiful message of love. Our world is upside down indeed. I also have a friend who gifts me and my family with house made food and groceries monthly. I also cook or send groceries to neighbors. It is like you a love language during a time of so much pain and agony. Say a prayer for my friend, Sylvia, who is hospitalized with Covid. Love you,
Marinalva
Chrissie says
Thank you for your encouragement. I am one who gives ALOT and sadly many don’t say thanks. I do it for Jesus not Praise but it is discouraging.
Beth Williams says
Anna,
Congratulations on your 4th child. Small acts of love & kindness can go a long way. Last year was hard for many of us who work at hospitals. One local church made huge baskets of snacks & goodies for ALL the units (close to 20) in the hospital. I emailed them back to say thank you. They told me that they pray for us at 7am & 7pm each day. It was nice to know that people out there care enough t-o think about us. On the flip side I tend to be like your friend. An RN co-worker was moving to a new house. Another RN & I were going to help her. I wanted to get a house warming gift & knew she probably didn’t have food for us that day. Cooked up a large pot of baked spaghetti & meatballs-she mentioned her fav. We were able to enjoy it that day & she had plenty left over while she finished moving. Also made some blueberry bread for her later in the year as she was dealing with her dad’s cancer diagnosis.
My pastor’s wife told us that her aging mom decided to move in with them. I made a chicken pot pie & some bread for them to enjoy when they got back. Next month I will cook for my MIL’s birthday. Doing things for people comes naturally for me. Tell me someone is ill or family in hospital & you will most likely get food from me. It is my God given talent. I love encouraging people & helping out any way I can.
Blessings 🙂