Filling the Empty Fridge

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One small group grew closer by meeting each other's needs.

by Life Together | posted 7/19/2004

Topics:	Community, Compassion, Fun, Stories, Teamwork, Unity
Filters:	Connect, Leader, Member
Purpose:	Ministry
References:	Acts 2:42-47
Date Added:	July 19, 2004

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Tracy stared into an empty refrigerator. Even with two incomes, money was tight for her family of three.

"Darryl, if we're going to eat this weekend, I'm going to need about $80 by then," she told her husband.

"Okay, I'll get you the money somehow, even if we have to skip paying a bill."

God would provide. He'd done it before. But how would he do it this time?

Neither Tracy nor Darryl wanted to tell anyone. It was tough to admit they needed help. Although they'd recently joined a small group with friends from Tracy's office, they told the group almost nothing about their financial struggles.

Other group members had enough trouble of their own, didn't they? One couple had just learned their baby would be born with birth defects. Another couple had a son going through legal problems. So Tracy and Darryl stayed silent.

Days later, they hosted their group for a barbeque at their house. As the group prepared the food they'd brought, one member, Susan, opened Tracy and Darryl's refrigerator to get something.

Empty. No milk. No bread.

Susan had never seen a refrigerator that empty. But she did understand what it was like to overcome financial hardships. The empty refrigerator brought back memories of her own family's struggles and of the friends who helped them through.

"They'd just show up at the house with laundry detergent, milk, or $100 worth of groceries," Susan said. She believed God wanted her group to do the same thing for Tracy and Darryl.

Six members went together to the store to buy the food. They had a blast choosing what to get. They laughed their way through the store. Tracy was stunned when they arrived at her house with all those groceries.

Tracy and Darryl weren't the only ones who benefited from the group's generosity. The whole group grew closer from the experience. They got to be the hands and feet of Christ, and they haven't been the same since.

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December 17, 2008 8:44 AM

jonette

I have years of experience with an empty refrigerator. If only I had used my step-mothers economical way of feeding my family! Maybe this will help someone If you have a Walmart near you; Buy their potato or macoroni salad; otherwide make your own. This stretches many meals. Don't forget eggs; boil them and leave them unshelled in a bowl in the fridge. They can be peeled and eaten for a very, nutricious snack or meat-substitute. They are very high in vitamins, minerals and protein. Butter last longer than milk. Also Milk will keep longer is you add a few drops of vanilla or almond extract (with alcohol perservative) to it. Tea is healthy for you, a lemon slice added to it gives extra vitamin C. loaf bred can be served every meal. Salsa: from can tomatoes, fresh peppers, celery, parsley, canned black beans for a quick vegetable anytime. Celery, carrots, parsley are reasonbaly inexpensive. Mayo and keptsup, or olives can be used in a salad.and keep it from spoiling.