Hello, Texas!

We had some friends in from Wisconsin a couple of weeks ago. We got acquainted with them through a partnership between HarvestBaptist Association (my employer) and Bay Lakes Baptist Association, a similar network of churches in northeast Wisconsin.  They play a little football in one of the small villages in their area. 

Of course, their team had precisely the same involvement in this year’s Super Bowl as my Cowboys had. I am trying to figure out how to mention that to them without hurting the partnership.  Having been up close and personal with Packers fans for the past three years … that may take a little more pondering.

I have made five trips to Wisconsin in the past three years and have been the beneficiary of some great “cheesehead” hospitality. Of course, the tour of Lambeau field and various cheese factories is compulsory. Brats and burgers have been consumed by the pound.  Friday night fish fries at “supper clubs” are a unique experience.  Fleet Farm is a really cool store that is like a Super Walmart (without the groceries), Academy, and Tractor Supply all rolled into one.

So, what do you do to return the hospitality when they come to Texas?  Mexican food!  I told them that I did not recall seeing much of that when I have been there.  Their reply?  “We have Taco Bell.”  Seriously?  Taco Bell?  Taco Bell is to Mexican food what Velveeta is to aged Wisconsin cheddar! 

Well, we took care of that problem!  Now they know what it is like to fill up on chips and salsa before a big plate of enchiladas arrives.  They know the bliss of a full belly and the accompanying heartburn that hurts so good.  Hello, Texas!

We did have a great visit, but the best part wasn’t the food or the sightseeing.  The best part was the conversation on the way … the laughter at the table … the prayer requests shared … the prayers offered. 

You see, life is not about experiences.  Life is about relationships.  Experiences get their meaning from those with whom we share them.  Mexican food is just food I like when I eat it by myself.  Taco Bell even has meaning when it is shared with a friend.

The first book of the Bible records God saying, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18).  That wasn’t a one-time truth that God solved by creating a woman to go with the man.  That was an eternal principle.  God created us with an innate need to share our lives with others.  The New Testament is filled with “one another” messages.  Encourage one another.  Forgive one another. Accept one another.  Honor one another.  Live in harmony with one another. Instruct one another.  Serve one another.

You get the point.

I’m not sure when my next trip to Wisconsin will be.  Nor am I sure when my friends will come back to Texas.  There is one thing I am sure about.  When we get together, the food and the sights will be periphery.  The conversation, laughter, tears, prayers, and encouragement will be the main thing. One way our lives matter to God is the way our lives matter to each other.

I always suspected there was a spiritual quality to Mexican food.