SURGERY THAT BEGAN WITH A CASSEROLE

It was a beautiful California morning and I found myself gazing out my kitchen window.   The thought entered my mind that I had never met the people who lived next door.  I had seen them coming and going now and again, but never took the initiative to introduce myself and extend a proper hello.   We were new in the neighborhood (as we’d often been over the years) and all we had were only two “welcome wagon” visitors to our home.

It was obvious that our neighbors next door weren’t coming our way any time soon, so if I wanted to meet them, I would have to be the one moving out and over their way.    The only observation made was that they were Asians and had three little children.

With my thinking cap in place, I was wondering what I could do to say a gentle, yet meaningful hello, along with introducing myself to them.  That process took only about fifteen seconds.   I decided that macaroni and cheese would be the ice breaker.

I immediately went into gear by pulling out all the needed ingredients as the pasta water was coming to a boil.    At this time I hadn’t a clue if Asians enjoyed this simple, down-home type dish.  What mattered was that someone was reaching out to “them.”

About an hour later this tasty cheesy and bacon casserole was ready for its journey next door.   I asked the Lord to bless and use this casserole in any way He wished.    It’s time to insert here a wonderful truth.   When you give over and surrender an act of kindness to the Lord and ask God to bless and use even the tiniest of gestures toward others, be prepared to see great surprises in packages you would never have imagined.   

I arrived at their doorstep about an hour before dinner time.  Both parents were home and responded to the doorbell announcing my arrival.   Before I knew what was happening, three little faces were surrounding me in the foyer of their lovely home.

Surprised at what I had in my hands was an understatement.  By the comments and look on their faces, this welcome was very new to their cultural ways.   Introductions were made and enjoyed by all. 

The macaroni and cheese clearly had a huge appeal to their hungering appetites.   I’m not certain what the woman of the house had in mind for their meal that night, but whatever it was, it went into pause.   The children seemed delighted to try and bite into whatever it was causing the aroma that was coming from the dish in my hands.

It was a few days later that they invited my husband and I over for tea.  The family was so welcoming to us.  We were in their home for a cup of tea and then returned to our home.   As we rose from our seats to head toward the front door, the man of the house stopped us with a comment about our “feet.”

Guess what?   He was a podiatrist and a surgeon and he went into his physician mode when he noticed that both my husband and I were limping.   Speaking of keen observation, this guy was at the top of his class.  And to think about it, who, but a podiatrist, would notice the stance with which we took our steps.

He insisted that we come to his office for an exam….and soon.   We followed his suggestion with an appointment to see him.  Within an hour of the consultation, we were scheduled for surgery.   Even as I’m writing about these events, I couldn’t have ever imagined the outcome God had planned.

You see, we went over just to have tea and retrieve our empty casserole dish.   But God had other plans.  See how God’s surprises take place when you least expect it.   This brilliant foot surgeon knew that we both needed surgery.   What he wasn’t aware of was that I had been suffering terribly for weeks when walking, but, didn’t know what to do, or who to see about the condition.

My husband and I agreed together that he would have the first bunion surgery, heal from that, and six weeks later would complete the repair job by having a second surgery.

This also gave me time to consider what I would do.  Wasn’t that a smart idea!   It was also a coward’s way out.    When my husband healed from both of his surgeries, I went next.    What successful results, and we were both delighted with this man’s competent skill and gentle surgical procedure.   Pain was at a minimum….and so grateful for pain medication on an as-needed basis.

We became close friends with this family and still remain in contact with each other over the years.   This beautiful friendship began with the most “ordinary of ways…a macaroni and cheese casserole.”  They were so touched that we reached out to them; but the delightful surprise was how God used this physician to see our need just as we were exiting his home, and then be willing to help us.

We never know how the most ordinary of kindnesses to another has the potential of a great blessing.   Let’s all keep on the lookout for ways to bless and encourage others…………..even through pasta!