Dinner, Love and Service

“Woman, make me a sandwich!” Them is fightin words!

Politics are not allowed on the porch. However, the comments by an aspiring Missouri senator about home cooked meals have pushed my pondering button.

I dream of the dinner fairy. I wish she existed and visited my house every evening. To me cooking is a chore and at the end of the day I’m in no mood to cook for anyone. “How dare anyone predetermine that because I am a woman, I must cook dinner.” Now don’t get riled on either side of this fight too quickly before I expound.

The issue before us is not who should and should not make dinner. The issue is not if you are for or against traditional roles. The issue is, why should we do anything that we do?

I don’t believe in “always” fighting for my rights. (I’m not talking about human rights) I don’t believe in living life for MY sole pleasure and purpose. I believe in living to serve. I believe in living to show love to anyone I can. I believe in laying down my “rights” if I can bless others instead. Old fashioned? I think not.

When I choose to serve, no one is oppressing me. When I choose to love, I can be committed to the most mundane tasks. When I choose to accept that which I think is less than I deserve, I find peace.

Years ago, I read an excerpt from a 1950’s home economics book. At first, I was boiling mad that it was centered around having dinner ready for your husband and fixing yourself, the kids and the house up for his return home. What about me?!!

Over time I have learned that there is joy in caring for the needs of others. Over time I have tried to learn to set aside the “it’s all about me” mentality and do what I know brings someone else joy and satisfaction. Serving does not make me less of a person but a much greater person. Learning to love well doesn’t short-change my rights but instead I am the recipient of inner contentment.

Please hear me. I am not talking about women’s rights or the lack of them. What I see in our society today is too much “me-ism.” Not men, not women, but people need to consider others as much as if not more than we consider ourselves. There is a place to stand up against what is wrong, but our day to day lives would contain more peace and happiness if we were more giving.

Giving has served me well. I give when and where I can. I give of my time, talent and resources. I give when others don’t deserve what I give. I give time that I don’t have to spare, and I give ideas and all my creativity free of charge. I give my life to those I love and I even give it to people I don’t even know.

I have shucked corn in a basement with no power, sweating profusely. (I was helping a local ministry after the tornado hit trying to save their huge corn crop donation.) I served at a relief station I had no intention of creating. For two days I helped tornado victims as people brought donations to share. The weather was miserable as the table I had set up to feed my husband’s employees was taken over with donations. I had planned on heading out of town. Instead I stayed two days and was blessed beyond what I can express.

I have brought countless meals to those who needed the food and the fellowship. I have redecorated at least 10 homes for people who needed the help and had no money. (I was doing fixer-upper years before there was fixer-upper.) I have endlessly worked in groups, churches and organizations and never made a dime. Three children I never gave birth to have lived in my home. I have also made countless dinners for my husband and family because I love them. My list goes on and on as I am sure so does yours.

Why should we do what we do? What’s in it for me? I choose to serve and I choose to love and in return I don’t gain my rights, but I gain love, joy, fulfillment, contentment and inner peace.

Today I took a risk. My opening words may have ruffled some feathers. I may have stepped on your toes. I truly hope that no toes are smashed and all feathers are right where they should be. The discussion today was not about what others should and shouldn’t expect from us, instead it was about our response. We have a choice in how we respond. I hope you are inspired to respond with love. I desire to inspire you to choose love and service. I desire to challenge myself and others to exit the “me-ism” mode.

So, time to go make dinner.

 

Join the Conversation

It’s here!

The Breezy Porch Facebook group

The Breezy Porch is the perfect place to gather with girlfriends. On the Breezy Porch we’ll enjoy life’s simple pleasures and find and enjoy what brings meaning to life. The Breezy Porch is for like-minded ladies who dream of a slower pace and purpose in their pursuits. This will be where followers of The Breezy Porch can gather and chat.

So, come join us on the porch!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1938031722891363/  

 

PRIZE TIME

“Beat the Blues” Give-Away Box

How do you beat the winter blues? With a “Beat the Blues” contest!

I’m excited to share the contents of this box that is sure to chase those winter blues away.

For this box some wonderful friends joined the fun.

Charlene Dunning is the lovely lady behind “Pampered Goats” and also one of the beautiful models in my Simple Pleasures book series. In 24 Everyday Simple Pleasures she enjoys listening to rain showers and popping bubble wrap.

Pampered Goats has donated their “Limited Edition” Milky Face Cleanser Bar. You will find this exquisite bar to be exceptionally moisturizing as it gently removes make-up, dust and impurities while gently adding silkiness to your skin. (excellent for normal, sensitive or mature skin types.)

Charlene has been creating natural soaps and lotions from her daily goat’s milk for eight years. In addition to their artisan line of soaps and lotions they offer a men’s line, pet shampoo and spa quality bath bombs.

Her moto is: From Pampered Goats to Pampered People

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Becky Kaufmann is also one of my lovely models. You can find her featured on my blog.

Becky has been a Mary Kay consultant for 13 years. Becky has donated “Mint Bliss Energizing Lotion for feet and legs.” It helps tired feet and legs feel revived. The Mint Bliss Lotion is so refreshing to your feet & legs! After showering, apply it and feel the cooling mint soak into your feet & legs! It’s relaxing and the mint fragrance fills the air. An enjoyable experience to end a long day! Contact Becky at https://www.marykay.com/rbettis

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Holly Lovegrove is an amazing, professionally trained make-up artist. You can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hlovegrove and https://www.facebook.com/hollylovegrovemua/  also at her YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=holly+lovegrove+beauty be sure to subscribe to her channel.

Holly has donated a $50.00 Gift Card.

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Debbie Casteel is the creator of Table Talk for Women  a women’s network and socialization group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/552862348215486/ Debbie is a friend to everyone and is always eager to help others grow their businesses. She just launched a line of Table Talk for Women items which are available on the Table Talk FB page. She has donated a water bottle and key chain.

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Lisa Miller is the owner of Pizazzzzz a boutique in Kokomo, Indiana. https://www.facebook.com/pg/onlypizazzzzz/posts/?ref=page_internal  Pizazzzz is located at 2915 S Washington in the Maplecrest shopping center just south of Kroger next to the uniform shop. Pizazzzzz sells fashionable clothing, jewelry, books, gift items and in March will be opening a salon. Lisa has donated a “Warm Glow” candle. Hand dipped in Indiana this “Evening Mocha” scented candle will make any room smell completely yummy.

 

Additional Prize!!

The chance to be featured as a model in 75 Simple Pleasures – Spring. 

Anyone in Kokomo and the surrounding area can enter to win this prize. If you’d love to join our models on  the pages of my lovely NEW book, now is your chance. When entering, write “photo” by your comment if you want a chance to win this particular prize. The drawing for this will be February 14th – Valentine’s Day.

You need to be available for your photo shoot between February 15 and February 21.

 

OFFICAL CONTEST RULES

To win you must be subscribed to this blog.

Subscribe here!

Subscribe

You must also be a member of The Breezy Porch Facebook group

Join Here!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1938031722891363/

Then once you are a part of our wonderful group, comment on any blog beginning Tuesday, January 30, 2018 until midnight EST on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Your name will be entered with each comment that you leave. The winner will be randomly drawn from all the comments submitted by qualified entries.

PLEASE, check out each wonderful business woman that donated to this drawing.  I HIGLY recommend each woman and her products. 

One of my goals is to support independent business women. Please consider shopping at The Pamper Goats and Pizazzzzz,. Subscribe to Holly’s YouTube channel. Join Table Talk for Women and use Becky for your Mary Kay needs.

I too would love to grow my readership. PLEASE share my blog on your social media!!! Tell your friends about my blog too.

FINALLY

Nicole H. was the winner of our Cozy Christmas Box. She was so excited and stated that she had never won anything before. Shortly after winning, she suffered a car accident, rolling her car multiple times. Thank God, she was ok. However she did need some recovery time from bumps and bruises. I’m so thankful that Nicole won our Cozy Box. She needed it during her recovery!

Remember to subscribe, join and comment for a chance to win this AMAZING, “Beat the Blues” box.