11/14/07

5 Invisible Moms

“The noblest service comes from nameless hands, and the best servant does his work unseen.” --Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., 1872

Why is it that we think hospitality has to happen only in our home?

As I’m trying to remind women that it can happen anywhere, I came up with the idea of “5 invisible Moms.”

Our town is full of invisible people: People who work behind the scenes in organizations, churches, and schools - people who volunteer and give their lives away on a regular basis. Our names don’t have to be thrown out as “important” people. We just want to serve!

I would come to guess that you have people in your town with the same mindset.

So what do we 5 moms have in common? Each one of us has a child in the same classroom at school and we’re very thankful for our child’s teacher, Mrs. P. With that said, what could we do to practice hospitality and reach out and bless this hard-working teacher and her family?

This is what we are doing: Twice a month through the current school year, we 5 moms are going to take turns bringing dinner to Mrs. P. We will slip into school and drop it off to her at the end of the day. It’s as simple as that. She knows it’s coming (we cleared it with her in advance), but she doesn’t have to know who’s bringing it.

Years ago I started a “Meals Ministry” in our church. To this day, it is still going strong and blessing many families. I know many churches do this, but what about the people who do not go to church? Does this mean that they can’t benefit from such a beautiful form of hospitality?

I’ve been on the meal-receiving end several times in my adult life. With each baby, I had meals brought into my home for 2 weeks. When I had a major surgery, friends rallied together and did the same thing. Even when Paul and I lost 3 parents in 5 years people were there for us!

Most people have a servant’s heart. Most people want to do something, but they aren’t sure where to start, or what to do!

A “5 Invisible Moms” group is a form of hospitality that can be taken anywhere, not just in schools or churches. The beauty of this form of hospitality is that it is not daunting, but that we can all take turns. There is no certain menu that has to be followed. Basically, the receiving family will appreciate whatever works for the giver!

How beautiful is that?

We “5 Invisible Moms” really don’t need a name for ourselves. We are content to be invisible.

(Photos: I love to make “ring” dinners with light Crescent Rolls – simply use any kind of meat and add yummy cheeses, garlic and whatever spices your want! This was our dinner last night, cooked on my well-seasoned baking stone. I will sometimes take a Costco chicken, a salad in a bag, and fresh bread to the family! Even a pizza works. It's not about perfection, it's about a giving heart.)

UPDATE: Several people have asked for the recipe to above photos from our dinner last night.

Ready for this? I took our leftover dinner of roasted pork, potatoes and carrots, from a few nights before, and chopped it up. I added some cheese and spices and WAH LAH! You can see how I laid out the crescent rolls. Bake according to the package.

Like I said a few posts back, we rarely let a "leftover" go to waste in our home.

ENJOY!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love this idea Sandy. The thing about kindness is that it's 'catchy'. I'm sure in turn it will inspire Mrs. P to go on and help someone else in your community.

I totally agree with you - you don't need to spend oodles of money on someone. It is the simplest act of showing someone you care, that they matter. What could be better than that? :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, I wnat that recipe - it looks delish!

Wendy said...

Great idea! Thanks for sharing this. And, that looks like a great dish.

Anonymous said...

Lovely idea!

Awesome recipe!!

Anonymous said...

We made Taco Ring last night using crescent rolls, as well. So easy!! :) What is in the recipe you have pictured?? I love receiving new recipes.

tammi said...

What a beautifully thoughtful idea! You're so right about people wanting to serve, but not really knowing where to start. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas!

Nunnie's Attic said...

That is a great idea. Such a giving heart you have, Sandy. You make God proud, girl!

Please share the recipe in the picture!!

Love,
Julie

Nadine said...

Great idea. What a lovely way to bless your child's teacher or anyone for that matter. This post was very heart warming. Thanks Sandy.

Sandy said...

Ladies - I added the EASY recipe for the chicken ring! I posted it as an update on this post.
ENJOY! Use up all of your leftovers :)

orneryswife said...

What a lovely seasoned stone you have! I enjoyed this post, and I love the idea of being invisible to serve. Thanks for sharing this!
TM

Anonymous said...

That looks absolutely delicious!!!
I will definitely have to try it sometime SOON!!!!
And, what a brilliant idea. I so enjoy reading your blog and seeing how you serve and how you inspire us all to serve.
Thanks for sharing the beauty of hospitality with us all!
(I haven't commented in awhile, but I'm really here everyday) :)

linda t said...

Oh Sandy, such an inspiring post!

And I see your Pampered CheF stone is as black and seasoned as mine! And yes, my pie was made using my Pampered Chef stone. Get this! I found it brand new at a thrift store for 50 cents!

Thanks for the recipe too! I have not made that recipe in years!

Barb said...

I luv the invisible mom picture!!!! :oD

Diane @ A Watered Garden said...

I need to get rid of the thinking that if I'm taking a meal to someone, (or having them over) it needs to be a totally from scratch 5 course meal. This thinking kills me every time! I injoy your blog...thanks!

Donnetta said...

I, too, have been on both the giving and receiving end of meals being brought in. What a blessing on both ends!

What a fabulous idea to do this for the teacher!!!! Wonderful!

G. said...

What a terrific idea! I love how innovative you are with your leftovers...it makes me think about what I have in my fridge that I can makeover. Thanks for your great ideas!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Sandy, as usual, you have the best inspiring posts for hospitality. It is very important to keep all these ideas in mind in serving people & I've been so guilty many times of not wanting to take the time to do these simple things, but it's a joy when you can share with someone in need. They do appreciate it, as I found out last weekend when I took a meal to a church family who's DH had gone thru surgery. THey were so excited & it made me happy to do it.

I see you have a well seasoned pizza stone too...just wrote about mine since I just had a PC party at my house!

xo,
Rhoda

An Ordinary Mom said...

What a fabulous way to serve and love others!

Anonymous said...

That is such a great idea! (Dinner for the teacher.) You are full of creativity and clearly service and hospitality is one of your God-given gifts.

La Tea Dah said...

Hi Sandy,

Just making sure you get my message that you are the winner of the Christmas cross-stitch on Gracious Hospitality.

:) LaTeaDah