Sunday Blessings - Gifts

The Gift Of Friends
by Karin Schaefer
There are days when bubbling from us comes the innocent child within,who giggles at the little thing and wears a silly grin.There are days when melancholy comes to visit for a while;the mind feels tired, the body weak;we have no strength to smile.There are days when joy abundant grabs a hold of you and me;wraps us up in all it's splendor,lifts us up and sets us free.There are days when sorrow wraps us in its cloak of grief and fear,'till our hearts ache to the breaking,'till our eyes can't shed a tear.There are days when love bestows us with its wonderment and light;with its beauty and its mystery,its power and its might.And there are days when life rewards us and seems to make amends by granting us a marvelous gift,the precious gift of Friends.

My Pastor 's wife brought me this
beautifully hand crafted bead and sequin purse
from her hometown , Bhopal,
situated in Central India


Its highly embellished but
too ostentatious for the simple places
I go to. Besides the rickshaw drivers will
mistake me for a woman of substance
if I carry a reticule like this and demand double the fare.
Now I am hoping to be invited
to a wedding or party or
some fancy occasion befitting my accessory
I am aware that in the West these sort
of purses would cost a lot. But fortunately
in India they are moderately priced.

This is such a special gift.


This morning, before church the lady
in whose home we had last Friday 's
Fellowship Meeting brought
these farm fresh eggs for us.
She has a clutch of farm chicken
(desi murgis)

These desi andas (farm eggs) are very expensive
in the market.
I can make egg curry with them.
Just boil the eggs shell them,and deep fry them in oil and set
aside. Prepare a curry gravy of your choice.
The gravy should be nice and thick.
You can add pureed tomatoes
and boiled potatoes in it.
Pop in the eggs and cook for a few minutes.
Garnish it with fresh cilantro.
And its ready to eat with steamed rice.
Noodles, pasta chapatis, nan or bread.


Here is a video of this Friday 's Fellowship Meeting.
It took place in the home of 3 retired sisters.
We were singing Amazing Grace.
While shooting the video I did not sing.

In the book of James in the New Testament ,it is written "Every good and perfect gift is from above,coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,who does not change like shifting shadows" James 1;15 (NIV)

I have received such precious gifts from beloved people from near and far.
Today I thank God for the gift of friendship.