I had the flu right after Christmas, and being a new mom, I felt overwhelmed by trying to take care of myself and my baby!  It didn't help that my husband came down with the flu one day later, and together, we were absolutely useless.  As our fevers rose and we felt control, order, and everything good slipping from our fingers, we were relieved by the goodness of two kind souls who brought us meals.  A dear woman from church who babysits our son on weekdays came by on the weekend with home-made lasagna.  A few days later, our next door neighbor who was also recovering from the flu brought us over some of her homemade chicken noodle soup.  Now, my husband and I are twenty-six and capable of cooking for ourselves, but while feeling ill, we sort of started missing our moms, and the home-made meals really helped to fill those small holes in our hearts.  You're never get too old to appreciate a meal that reminds you of your mom!

Many times meals are planned in advance for a family in need, but what touched me most about these ladies who cared for us when we were sick is that they didn't ask; they just cooked.  They brought us food without asking.  They didn't offer an empty, "Is there anything I can do?"  They wanted to be there for us, and they were.  For those of you who know someone in need, I encourage you to offer your help and love as a reflection of Christ's love for us.  These women simply acted on their own, without being asked, as the hands and feet of Christ.

Because there are many around us in our church and in our community who have also been suffering from the flu, and because there are surgeries, births, and other events coming up among our church members, I thought I'd repost this link I found online with helpful tips for bringing meals.  Although the article focuses on sympathy meals, the tips are helpful in providing meals for anyone in need.  What kinds of food should you bring?  When should you bring the meal? Are there other things you can offer besides food?

http://www.simplebites.net/cooking-for-others-a-guide-to-giving-sympathy-meals/

Have you ever been touched by someone's gift of a meal?  If any of our experienced meal-givers in the church have any tips,  please share!