Preparing a meal of pork chops, rice, carrots, salad, and ice cream and bananas for a gathering of the Homeless at Hope House on St. Andrew Street in New Orleans, was a humbling experience.

My friend, Father Jim Morrison , from Trinity Church on Jackson Ave. invited me to assist him in the food preparation and serving of this meal. It has been a while since I have done this. I meet him in the kitchen at Trinity School and we began our preparations a little too late as it turned out. Our efforts to cook pork in the school ovens did not go as planned.
Around 5, we decided that the on-the-stove method would have been a better idea. So we set to work joined by another friend, Nell Naquin, to hasten the cooking process. An hour later, we accomplished the task.
Fr. Jim drove the first batch of pork chops to the waiting men and women at the Hope House while we continued to cook the second, and third batches. The people at Hope House were most patient and waited for the courses to arrive. Ordinarily a meat dish is not included- in the two times a week meals- presented by Hope House.
One wise elder who was complaining because people did not close the door as they exited the house said,"Common courtesy... You don't have to steal food, all you have to do is ask."

Mulling over his words as I wrote in my journal this morning brought me to a simple Ah-Ha  experience: "All you have to do, is ASK!"
This quote appears in countless sources; "Ask..."
Why am I so afraid to ask?
Is it fear of rejection?
Confusion about how in control I am supposed to be?
Doubt that I am worthy to receive?

Thank you wise soul for your guidance last evening. I cooked and served pork chops, you gave me wisdom. Not a very fair exchange. I came away the winner, perhaps.

http://www.hopehouseneworleans.org/