Week after week in this Bible study, Stacy was learning so much about the apostle Paul. Such rich studies. The small discussion group she was in had ladies of all different walks of life. An older married lady who doesn't have children. A woman in her 40s, the same way but has a radical, ever-active life as a booking manager, author, and photographer. Then there was also Carrie, the youngest in the group. She hardly talked. Stacy, an extrovert who had taken up the role as a greeter for this Foundations Bible study, liked knowing everyone's names and finding at least one thing they have in common.
What was it about Carrie? Where did she grow up? What kind of work does she do? Every time they had discussion, everyone talked except Carrie. Why? Introverted? Scared to talk? Surely there must be something that happened in her life that made her slow to speak.
Week after week, Stacy studied the lessons in such books as Ephesians and Colossians. That was how she spent her mornings. Before too long, it was time for her to go to work, as a front desk receptionist at a retina clinic. She got to know the names of all the regular patients, including one patient in her 50s who was a rising stand-up comedian. She always said how she hated to come to these appointments. Getting the treatment for her retina was gruesome, a hassle. That was something she looked forward to that one Thursday a month when she had her appointments.
Week after week, she looked forward to the Tuesday evenings she went to Foundations. She's been at this study for so many years. She knew every several weeks, they had a night of fellowship, an extra 45 minutes to talk about the study, have a good time, and eat. Stacy always made sure to not eat any sweets at work. A lot of times, the ladies wanted to order pizza and doughnuts the same day she had these fellowship nights. She also loved to bake. It was a cool, crisp fall day on that certain Tuesday. She had some annual leave to burn. She used that time to make a pumpkin chocolate chip bundt cake. Only, she did something different. Even though she didn't have to, she bought gluten-free ingredients.
Two hours after she baked it, she had it in a cake holder and the tote bag of her Bible and Bible study guide. She headed toward that congested Alcoa Highway to the study. Walked as if the horse knew the way into room 212 of the host church. The leader, Ilene, was there. They chatted for a moment. One by one, the other ladies came with cookies, crackers, pepperoni and salami slices. Carrie was there, too, but had brought nothing. Everyone easily got into conversations--all except Carrie.
Chocolate, the one thing that never lets any woman down. Stacy thought about the co-pastor's wife, Kathy, who loved everything chocolate. They had lots of conversations about it. Stacy kept glancing at Carrie. What would it take for her to talk?
"Ladies, my cake is gluten free."
As if she said the magic word, whatever it really was, Carrie's eyes lit up. She reached for a plastic plate, a few napkins, and a fork. Using a knife, she cut a big slice of it. "I love chocolate. And I'm gluten free." She cut a piece of it with the fork and closing her eyes, as if in a dream, she slowly bit into it. She remained quiet for some time before eating another bite. "Stacy, this is delicious. I'd love the recipe."
Stacy had learned to always be prepared when going to gatherings. She made some copies of the recipe. She had one in her Bible study guide, folded in half. She handed it to Carrie. Carrie studied it briefly. "I'd love to make this. It's coming up so soon on Thanksgiving. I wasn't sure what to make since I'm the only one in my big family that is allergic to gluten."
The fellowship time unfolded. Women talked about their things going on at work, all the ups and downs. Carrie talked about problems she was having in her marriage, some family issues. While she talked, she ate another slice of the pumpkin chocolate chip cake. She took the rest with her.
