"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!"
Isaiah 55:1, NIV
Ti Pa Lou.
Pronounced "tee-pah-loo," Ti Pa Lou means "little father Lou."
An endearing nickname, I was dubbed Ti Pa Lou by my parents and siblings at some point during my childhood. However, on a particular day in the fall of 1984, it took on special significance in my mind and had a profound impact on my faith.
A close relative paid my family a visit and offered me a $5.00 bill as a present. Since, back then, that was a lot of money for a little 10-year old, I began thinking of ways I could spend my wealth.
There was this soccer ball I wanted.
But, the neighborhood boys would snatch it away from me.
I could replace my toy trucks and cars that my classmates destroyed.
But, they would only get snatched away from me yet again.
I could purchase several romance novels.
But, my conscience reminded me of their effect on my heart.
I could go to the little convenience store and get all the food I can eat.
But, food . . .
Food!
Why, yes, of course. Food is exactly what I should purchase.
My mouth began watering as I thought of rice and beans, fried chicken, almonds, lemonade, marinades, fried plantains, cookies, cassava bread, mangos, and mangos, and mangos . . . I could eat for days on this newly acquired wealth.
Almost imperceptibly, a few little thoughts crept into my brain.
Would I really get food just for me?
Would I really be content to fill my stomach while the rest of the family goes . . . hungry?
As if by lightning, I was struck with the sudden awareness that my whole family was hungry. In my mind, I replayed that morning's events -- we ate some pan-roasted corn and peanuts for breakfast, and drank cold water. Lunch consisted of a broth made out of two onions and a few carrots served with dry biscuits. My stomach was growling and I am sure I heard even louder sounds coming from the bellies of my older siblings.
Without saying a word, I went to the kitchen and surveyed our pantry shelves . . . Zilch! Nada. Does that mean that dinner was really not going to happen?
I quickly went to the store and bought enough supplies to make sandwiches for the entire family. I also bought enough orange colas (a favorite drink in the 1980s in Haiti) for everyone. I enlisted the help of a boy in the neighborhood to help me carry my groceries home.
Upon arriving home, I announced:
"Men soupe pou tout moun!" . . . "Here's dinner for everyone!"
Everyone ate to their hearts' content and thanked Ti Pa Lou profusely. It was in the middle of the night that I realized how fitting it was for "little father Lou" to seek to feed his family just like the Son of God fed the multitudes.
That experience continues to inspire me to feed people -- I love to cook! I love to feed people! Yet, as much as I love cooking for and feeding people, I am much more inspired and excited to nourish hearts and souls. I make it a daily practice to engage in my vocation: To encourage hearts.
And that is only possible because God made me recognize my need to go to His banqueting table daily, feeding upon His nutritious and nourishing Word.
"The poor will eat and be satisfied;
they who seek the Lord will praise Him."
Psalms 22:26, NIV
Father, I thank You for feeding me, encouraging me, and filling me with Your Holy Word. Help me to follow in Your footsteps as I seek to feed and fill others with You. May I exude You in all I do! Amen.
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