Friend,

Do you ever need a story of joy to fill your soul? I sure do! Just last week when I had a difficult day, this popped in my inbox and lifted my spirits. I bet it will for you, too.

Margaret,

A friend told me about Taste and See: Discovering God Among Butchers, Bakers, and Fresh Food Makers. It didn’t take 2 pages and I was in tears.

The cliff notes version is I cook and feed people anywhere. The Soup Ladies are an organization that feeds first responders at critical incidents. Our goal is to be out the door in an hour with food for 100 or more.

With soup it’s easy.

And it gets better…

You never know if you’ll be feeding major crimes detectives, SWAT, or fatal car accidents that require a long investigation. Sometimes it’s large structure fires or marine dive units recovering a body.

When the unthinkable happens, like when before their shift, four police officers were gunned down in a coffee shop, we get called in to support what will be a very long investigation.

All the first responders still need to eat. We go in and feed and love on them.

We’ve served at mass shootings at schools, colleges, universities, and theaters. We’ve served at riots in Portland and Seattle, the Christmas day explosion in Nashville, the tornado in Alabama. I’m about to deploy tomorrow.

Jesus is the most important part of my life.

All these first responders call me Mama. I ask if they are hungry, they often say yes, and I say, “I need a hug first.”

Our dining room might be the tailgate of a truck, sitting on a log, the hood of a patrol car. This is the most important part of their day. I love them so much. Some of the scene are so awful, and I get to put my arms around these people that need love.

I am the grandmother of 10 and former restaurant owner who travels across the country serving up love.

With all that said, you put into words what exactly what we do–love people and share a meal, give them hugs, go on our way.

Mama Passarelli

Wow. Wow. Wow. What a powerful reminder of creative ways God can use our gifts to love others well. I hope it inspires you to look for opportunities to love others well and perhaps in new ways!

Much love,

Margaret