Tonight I was super blessed by my food family. Why? You might be asking…
The hardest part of being in Oxford so far has been missing being with people who know me. This I did not anticipate. I have a hard time trusting people– it takes me longer than most people, it seems. But we all struggle with vulnerability, I think. Anyhow, we have now been in Oxford somewhere around six weeks. And it’s incredibly difficult not to get to know people and not to let people get to know you. I think you would have to try really, really hard for that to happen. I live in a house with thirty-six incredible and incredibly different people. They are all lovely and quite delightful, which is almost a problem. While I’d love to get to know all of them well, it is very unrealistic for me to expect to be great friends with thirty-six people. Bummer. So the natural development of this situation is to be friends with everyone, and better friends with some. I suppose some people have personalities that enable them to be great friends with thirty six people. If I attempted this, my body would probably make like a sensational gothic novel and spontaneously combust. Okay, probably only my literature tutor and I understand that terrible joke, so moving on.
Since it’s difficult to become incredibly close to people in six weeks, especially with all of the reading that being here entails, I’ve found myself missing friends from home more than I expected to, and generally feeling like, “hey, if I was closer to people here, I would not hate it.” So, this is the context to explain why my food group blessed me so much tonight.
Last night I had the following conversation with my friend Tom:
“So, I’m thinking of making sloppy joes, macaroni and cheese and zucchini for dinner tomorrow. How does that sound?”
“It sounds great, Tom.”
“0kay.” End of conversation. Later, I see Tom and he asks, “Hey, do you eat sloppy joes.”
“Um, not really.”
“Well, why didn’t you say something?”
“Because everyone else’s eating habits shouldn’t have to be determined by what I do or don’t like to eat.” Which I think is a good maxim. If I’m going to be picky, I shouldn’t force my picky-ness on others as well. So, I thought that was the end of the issue.
But, we had Tom’s fabulously cooked dinner tonight, which I appreciated and was planning on partially partaking in, minus the sloppy joe. Then, much to my surprise, Christoph brought me delicious chicken that he and Tom cooked for me, just because they are kind. How sweet is that? I think I can say it is one of the sweetest moments I’ve experience in this community so far. It was quite an act of kindness, and I felt so well loved by this! I am so grateful for the loving community God has given us to enjoy, learn with, and be challenged by this semester! Food family, thanks for making my day– I appreciate you all so much!
This is not my food family...except for Tom. But these are all lovely friends.
