After 10 years of living in Hungary - off and on - I am still amazed and humbled by the hospitality and generosity of spirit of Hungarians. Last night was no exception. We had spent the morning packing and cleaning the house where we had been house-sitting for the previous 2 weeks and my heart was in a little bit of a "frump". An elderly couple who had befriended us 7 years ago when we lived in an apartment above their home, had offered to move us and our things to the home we would be staying at for the next week until we leave for the States. During the course of the move they invited us to their home for a visit.
From the moment we arrived in their home they could not do enough for us. It was, "Here, sit in this chair as it's more comfortable for your legs." "Would you like something to drink?" "You must be hungry, what would you like to eat...." - at which point an array of food items were being hauled out of the refrigerator in the kitchen and from a room in the back of the house. The simple little countertop where they eat their meals soon became the scene of a great feast. Festive napkins were folded into fun shapes, good china and glasses were set out for us and every food item in the house seemed to be set in front of us. I drank in the cozy scene...the magical little Christmas tree...the warmth of the tiny apartment...the peace and joy etched on their faces...I was totally 'in the moment', not wishing to be any other place or thinking of all the details needing to be taken care of....time was suspended.
As we ate they hovered over us asking what else they could bring. We tried many times to say we had plenty and that everything was wonderful, but out came more food and desserts! As we went to leave, our hostess went to their little Christmas tree where they had laid out their opened Christmas gifts on display and began picking out several of their own gifts to give to us. No amount of saying "it's not really necessary" would have done one bit of good. They had known we weren't able to have a Christmas tree this year and one of the opened gifts under their tree was a white towel with a beautiful embroidered Christmas tree on it....this was one of the gifts our hostess chose for me. With tears in my eyes I humbly accepted this precious act of love.
When we walked out the door, our hands were carrying 3 full gift bags of things from their home. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground, lit up by street lights that turned the ground into little twinkling diamonds. Overwhelmed by the love lavished on us, my heart was definitely no longer in a frump. It was full. I was reminded through this sweet little couple that God was once again lavishing His love for us through their hands. Through their hearts. God sat us down and spread a feast of love before us. I could think of no better way to start this brand new year than with the knowledge that our Father is continually watching over us....looking for ways to show His love again and again to two of the least of His children.
Along the Road With Larry & Dede: A Feast of Love
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