The Dinner Drop

When I was in high school, my mom and I took a meal to some of our dearest friends from church, the VanderArks.  Mrs. VanderArk was recovering from a serious car accident, and Mom wanted to help.

When we arrived, no one came to the door, but Mrs. VanderArk had said that she'd probably still be at the doctor's, and would leave the door unlocked.  We let ourselves in and started unloading the food.  Mom had made an enormous meal, including an ice cream pie for dessert.  There wasn't a lot of room in the freezer, so Mom started taking things out and rearranging it, while I shuttled in the other food.  The whole while their little dog was frantically barking.

At one point, I said, "Mom, I don't remember the VanderArks having a dog, do you?"  She stopped with a bag of frozen veggies in one hand and looked at the dog. "No...  I don't..," she said, and then walked into the dining room, and stopped short, pointing.  "And that's not the VanderArks' carpeting!  They have a border around the room!"  We traded horrified looks and then looked to the dog, who was still going nuts, but who now seemed to be the only one correctly assessing the situation.  We were intruders!! 

I shot to the car, leaving Mom to snatch the pie from the freezer, and start grabbing casserole dishes!  (She's never let me forget that I huddled out of view in the passenger seat while she, alone, reloaded the car!)   

Later, Mrs. VanderArk told us that her neighbors, two doors down, (who had a very similar looking house, I might add...) had quite a chuckle about our intrusion!  They had actually been home, in the basement, wondering what in the world the dog was barking at.  And then, when they walked upstairs and saw a can of frozen juice on the counter, they were really baffled!

Sometimes, especially in ministry, I stand before a jam-packed freezer wanting to contribute.  My motives are pure.  I want to offer my gift.  I certianly don't intend to be an intruder!  In these moments, rather than disregarding the menacing growls I hear, maybe I should consider that God is directing me two doors down...