Usually on Thursdays, always after our kids’ bedtime, we host Dessert Club. It started five or six years ago, because we wanted to get to know the high school kids in our Sunday School class. More than that, we wanted to get to know their friends too. With my love of cooking and Andy’s love of dessert, the concept of Dessert Club was born.
The kids that came were great. They brought their friends. They ate dessert. They worked their way into our hearts. And graduated. Instead of meeting weekly, Dessert Club met during college breaks. More often, though, kids dropped by for impromptu visits. They stopped to tell us the latest switch in their career paths, introduce us to a new girlfriend, or to simply catch up after too long. They are now juniors and seniors in college.
We knew we needed to start again with the current high school kids in our Sunday School class. The problem was we didn’t know if we wanted to put forth the energy of investing in lives again. I don’t mean for this to seem heartless. See, Dessert Club led to some close friendships and we miss them since they’ve left for college. It is impossible to keep up with everyone. Dessert Club is how we met Nate. And the hurt of his loss is still fresh. It seemed overwhelming to begin again.
It was more overwhelming to ignore the gentle whisper to start Dessert Club. Six weeks ago we began again. A handful of kids, mostly juniors came over for dessert. They brought their friends. They ate dessert. And they began to work their way into our guarded hearts.
They just left a few minutes ago and my sink is filled with dirty dishes. I’m thankful for this because I’m reminded how blessed I am. These busy teenagers choose to spend their Thursday evenings in our living room. They remind me of the importance of connecting to others and how these connections can heal hurting hearts. I miss them already.
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Simply lovely….brings me back to the day when my parents did something similar with the students @ our church who were in HS. It was called Rap, I do not remember what that stood for. Those students are now married & have their own children & they still keep in touch with my parents. I LOVED when my parents did this, the memories are beautiful. You are giving to your children too when they see you give so unselfishly to others. Enjoy the time & cherish the fact that you took this leap again.
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Wow…I love that idea of a dessert club with your sunday school kids! It’s a great way to get to know them and connect with them over yummy desserts. Thanks for sharing with us!
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Beautiful. I love this idea, the way you shared it and the honesty with which you captured the hesitance you felt. My husband and I are just beginning to fill a need in serving with the youth at our church – and we’re slowly finding that perhaps WE were the ones with the need. It’s amazing how even though we work with students daily, what a different dynamic there is when we connect with teens on a personal level.
Thank you so much for sharing!
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What a precious gift you are giving these kids! And what a precious gift you have given us in this story! I wish my boys “belonged” to a desert club!
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This slice reminds me of the power of sharing. It is so much more meaningful because I remember reading your initial post about Nate. I feel an ache of loss with you- because you have shared. Thank you for letting us all in. I know those teenagers are privileged to share with you because I, too, am better for having known you (if only through cyber space).
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I love your lines “They brought their friends. They ate dessert. And they began to work their way into our guarded hearts.” The movement touched my heart. You are blessing. :)MHG
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Dessert Club,
That’s fantastic Ruth. Let’s have some recipes and some photos.
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Ruth,
What a lovely, powerful post. It is difficult to accept the nudges we are given, especially after experiencing such pain, but blessings are showered upon us when we listen and obey the Master’s plan. I loved your repeated similar lines, “They brought their friends. They ate dessert. And they began to work their way into our guarded hearts.” Beautiful rhythm, but even more beautiful: the change in emotion from when you first used these lines and the opening of your heart to new connections, new possibilities, new blessings.
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You truly care about people. It takes a lot to fill your days with people and then to fill your nights, plus have 3 children!!!! I don’t know how you do it all.
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I got more than “misty-eyed” (Elizabeth G). When I read your SOLS, I had just finished visiting with a colleague who had a student write her an email (misunderstanding something that happened in class) and call my friend a monster, along with many other names. My colleague is a gentle soul who is devastated by the insults. As my colleague left, I was thinking that the world today can be such an awful place. I turned to my computer screen, and your story was the first thing I read. It reminds me that the world also has many beautiful people who care about others and take the time in meaningful ways to make it a kinder place, too. Thank you for sharing.
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Wow, Ruth! This is an amazing story. I’m sure the kids, past and present, will cherish these relationships forever.
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What a touching and inspiring story. I got a little misty eyed towards the middle. It’s amazing how quickly children of all ages make a place in our hearts. What a wonderful idea…dessert night. Love it!
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What a great idea! I wish I was brave enough to start something like this for anybody – teenagers or adults. How fun!
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You are very brave. Making deep connections are very scary. I’m glad you took the risk your kids need you in their life. Wishing you joy.
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Remembering the Back Stories
http://windows2mylife.blogspot.com/2011/03/remembering-back-stories.html
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You are amazing. You keep so many plates spinning, I am in awe. What a fun way to connect to teenagers. They are soooo lucky.
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These kids are lucky to have people like you who are willing to invest int their lives, even though it’s difficult when they move away. I am sure they will always remember you…
Nice writing. I could feel the pull between deciding to host a new dessert club or to avoid it… and found my self cheering for you to do it!
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Ruth, how lucky those kids are to have people who care enough about them to invite them into their homes (and hearts).
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This is a lovely story, Ruth. And how important for teenagers to have another place, another adult to turn to in their lives.
Happy Writing!
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Nice bit of story telling friend! I was curious about dessert club, and now I know. 🙂
You do realize that you are giving these kids a wonderful gift, right?
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“It was more overwhelming to ignore the gentle whisper to start Dessert Club.” I like this line! It is the shift in your slice from before to present Dessert Club. Your writing also made me want to walk to the refrigerator and look around.
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Thanks for pointing this out. I’ve been paying attention to the way writers transition & I didn’t even notice it in my own writing. 🙂
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Ruth ~ Sounds like a wonderful combination of community, conversation, and dessert too! Great story. ~Theresa
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Dirty dishes…that’s good! Dessert this week must have been a hit.
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It’s such a lovely story, of your giving as well as what you receive. The risk of new friendship is great, but you must be teaching those kids how important it is.
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