Another Faux Pas

This is a repeat from 2010...still following the theme of Hospitality...Go ahead, laugh at me!


Proverbs 31:18 “She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night.”

Don't you just love that apron? It actually is a vintage relic,
made from a flour sack by my husband's grandmother many
years ago! I still have it somewhere-but it is pretty
well worn-out...lots of biscuit flour and grease
stains worked into that antique! (The apron,
not me!)  This picture is circa 1980

Back in the early days of our life in the ministry,  I was contemplating how I could interpret this portion of the above Proverb about the virtuous woman that says, “and her lamp does not go out by night”.  My first thought was that this woman must always pay her electric bill on time so that her “lamp doesn’t go out by night.” However, in the broader sense, I believe it means that she plans ahead and is always prepared for any emergency. She probably keeps a spare canned ham (do they still have those?) in her fridge or other such easy to fix quick meals in case unexpected company arrives. I learned about that the hard way.

There was a very nice young couple that had recently started attending our church. We wanted to have them over to our home for an evening so we could get better acquainted. Because the man’s work kept him at work late, I thought it best not to invite them to supper, but just for dessert, since our family was used to eating much earlier. So I had prepared a lovely apple pie, had fed the family and cleaned up the kitchen, and was ready for a quiet visit with our new friends. When they arrived, the young man said that when he told his boss that his Pastor had invited him and his wife to supper, his boss gladly let him off work on time. My heart flipped and sank to my toes! “Did you say supper?” I timidly questioned.  He embarrassedly asked if he’d made a mistake. I wanted to fall through the floor and die! I explained that I had only prepared dessert and I was so sorry for the miscommunication. We offered to make them a sandwich, but they very politely refused and said the dessert was all they wanted as they had eaten a very late lunch. The delightful quiet evening I had anticipated got off to a rather frightful start. After many apologies we promised to have them over for Christmas dinner, and I emphasized the word “dinner”. They were extremely kind and understanding, and eagerly accepted the invitation to Christmas Dinner, since they too were living far from their families.

After they left that evening I thought of a million other things I should’ve and could’ve done if I’d only kept a cool head and they would’ve been none the wiser. One idea was I could’ve called and ordered a pizza to be delivered, or perhaps sent my husband out to pick up a bucket of chicken, pleading a bad day with sick kids or a headache or something. Or, if I’d made a practice of keeping that canned ham in the fridge and other quick menu ideas handy, I could’ve whipped up a delicious meal in no time flat.

Oh Lord, forgive me when I do the wrong thing when You know I wanted to do the right thing. And help me to always be ready to serve those who You send my way, no matter what time of day or night. Thank You for your patience with me. Amen.

Ok...let's hear it...I know none of you would be guilty of such a terribly embarrassing situation...what would YOU have done?  Or, maybe I should ask...what HAVE you done in similar circumstances?  Share your words of wisdom with us...I know I still have a long way to go in that regard.  Thankfully, God understands and forgives me for my "faux pax"...I hope my fellow man is just as forgiving.

 
 
(yes, these are very old pictures of me. No, I don't still look like that...)