By Joyell Nevins – CFFM Blogger
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.” Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
What do you get when you mix a crushed palate, more than 300 watermelons, and a desire to bless God’s people? An unexpected and unfathomed God-story!
In the middle of Christian Family Fellowship’s 2021 Family Reunion, an 18-wheeler pulled into the long driveway of the church. That’s not too uncommon – vehicles often use CFF’s extended driveway and roundabout to change directions.
But this truck wasn’t just changing its route – it was dropping off cargo. In the back of the vehicle were 500 watermelons that the driver was giving to the church: absolutely free!
A sampling of the massive amount of watermelons donated to Christian Family Fellowship. Photo by Michael Burrows.
Why Watermelons?
CFF has had a long appreciation for food and breaking bread together. Events always include meals, snacks, and special treats. Just as Jesus ministered many times around a table, we find that heart healing and joy still often comes around a satiated belly.
But, this Family Reunion, there were no special surprises planned for Saturday. There wasn’t even a coffee break. Well, God and Pastor Tonia weren’t having that!
While the ministry was meeting that morning, a distribution center nearby was unloading palates of produce, and discovered a whole set of watermelon palates had been crushed in transit.
The supervisor informed his crew to not even bother unloading those particular palates, and instructed the driver to just take them to the dump. But, as the driver was going past CFF, he thought (thank you, Spirit moving!), ‘I should just turn in here.’
How convenient that he just happened to be driving past CFF on a weekend day where there were hundreds of people inside (the Family Reunion is the biggest event that CFF hosts)!
Event staff and friends scurried to find trucks and unload all of that fruit, along with cutting a dozen to have ready for a snack at the break.
Luke Scharfenberger helps determine what to do with SOME of those watermelons. Photo by Jon Marsh.
And you know God, He doesn’t do anything halfway. So, these watermelon weren’t damaged at all! They were beautiful inside: bright red and juicy.
Pastor Tonia hurried out front and informed the attendees that not only were they able to enjoy a fresh mid-morning snack, but also that anyone with a vehicle should take several melons and share the love! Only God knows how many other people were blessed by the over-abundance of fruit that day.
How have you shared YOUR watermelons: those unexpected blessings God heaps on us to bless not only ourselves, but others as well? And if you were there that Saturday, we would love to hear what you did with your literal watermelons!