It seems to me that good times with family is in some ways a foretaste of our fellowship in heaven.

It is Wednesday and still running about 5 degrees hotter than the average for this time of the year. Pretty straight forward, it's another one of those hot June days here on the 19th, in the year of 2013. I would be remiss if I did not thank my dear wife and our three boys for treating me to a most wonderful Father's Day celebration. Everyone knows by now that I am somewhat committed to Community Coffee. Somewhat. Some time ago I wrote about how the Community folks were working on those little cups to be used in those fancy one cup makers. I had said when they came out with them I would revisit consideration of purchasing one of the coffee makers. They did come out with them. My wife and some of the boys had read my blog. Now I have a brand new Keurig maker that heats to 193 degrees and I have a couple of 12 packs of those little K-cups, Community, of course. Now that was a surprise gift and I had to check it out right away. Here's what I have already learned. If you pop in one of those K cups but instead of ordering up the mug size, you punch the small cup button on the machine, bang zoom, to the moon! Strong? You betcha. That first swallow will make both feet come off the floor but talk about taste! As they used to say back home: That's some more good! Thanks to my family and they can be sure it will be used. You know, full mugs in half cup increments.

We also had one of those meals that would literally make Paula Deen run for cover and burn her apron. My wife does know how to put out a spread. I believe all those dads I wrote about would have said to my wife, "Well done ma'am, well done indeed." She served up a slow cooked roast with rice and gravy that melted in your mouth. We had field peas and fried okra. Mixed vegetables. Homemade cornbread and some yeast rolls for the kiddos. Fresh sliced tomatoes. Homemade pepper sauce. I was a little puzzled about how to delve into these delectable delights, however, several of the assembled folks all gave voice to a common sentiment, "Go for it, it is, after all, Father's Day." We didn't record a vote but it seemed to be very much in the majority, therefore, I threw caution to the wind and had myself one great feasting time of it. After all that, she served up hot blackberry cobbler with Blue Bell Homemade for a topping. I only had a sample of that. I know you are not supposed to dream about food but I think that meal will be one that I recall for many days in the future. There was one little hiccup. I kept hearing a vibrating sound but couldn't immediately find it. It wasn't my cell phone. Finally, I located it. It was emanating from my briefcase. Turned out to be my little blood glucose monitoring device. He doesn't have a vibrate setting, so I guess he was just excited about the big number we would be achieving after that sumptuous meal. Yum yum!

Add to all that the joy of being surrounded by those I love and you have yourself a day to bask in along with a day to remember. Seeing little Brady and Alex greatly enjoying their cousin play time reminded us of when their dads did the same thing so many years ago. That was back when we could still all join together up at Granny and Paw Paw Mac's where the table was wobbly with so many dishes to choose from. Food, family, and fellowship. I think there's likely a Biblical application about giving honor to those to whom honor is due and in treasuring the family God has given to us. My wife has done her part in keeping that tradition alive. It is an acquired skill. She had a head start in her in-home training but she still had to learn from some of the best and because she wanted to keep it going we still have days like the one I described. I'm not saying it has to be done our way but there does need to be a desire to do something. I thank God for my wife and her willingness to do just that. Now that I have made everyone sufficiently hungry, grab hold of that nature bar and dream about something a tad better. May God bless each one. Amen. ......More later.