Italian with Friends

Some friends called earlier today and asked if we could catch dinner with them tonight since they just happened to be driving through at dinner time.  They were in the mood for soup, so we decided on Olive Garden, which had a good variety of soups.  I have learned (even without having to check the website anymore), that when I want pasta, the thing to order at Olive Garden is the Capellini Pomodoro-which is thin spaghetti noodles with a fresh tomato-based sauce.  It is one of the lower calorie options on the menu.  The downside is the lack of protein, but at least it tastes good!  The dinner portion is enormous-I barely touched it-but that is good since I had a bread stick and salad with that yummy dressing.

It was good to visit with friends we hadn't seen in a while.  They are in the midst of transition, and I was glad that we could be there for them when they needed us-just as they have been there for us when we needed them.  I was reminded of Ecclesiastes 3 after dinner.  Our friends are normally upbeat, but at this time they needed comfort.

Ecclesiastes 3

New King James Version (NKJV)

Everything Has Its Time

3 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

² A time to be born,
    And a time to die;
A time to plant,
    And a time to pluck what is planted;
³ A time to kill,
    And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
    And a time to build up;
⁴ A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;
⁵ A time to cast away stones,
    And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
    And a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶ A time to gain,
    And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
    And a time to throw away;
⁷ A time to tear,
    And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
    And a time to speak;
⁸ A time to love,
    And a time to hate;
A time of war,
    And a time of peace.

I am thankful that God could use us to be helpful in their time of need for fellowship and comfort.  I pray that their time of happiness returns soon.