Saturday Morning Blessings: From Shared Tables to Quiet Hearts (Captain Hedges Reporting Live!)

Good morning, everyone! Captain Hedges checking in with you on this serene Saturday morning in Shreveport. Our breakfast gathering with my wonderful neighbors – my chosen family, including my brother in spirit, Robert, and our dear Uncle Bill and Uncle Jerry – was truly a heartwarming start to our time together. Sharing coffee (brewed with love, naturally!), sausage, and those incredible French toast and bacon courtesy of Robert, filled our little corner of the world with joy and connection.

It strikes me, as it always does, how profoundly our shared history on the streets shaped us. Those tough times forged a bond stronger than friendship; we truly became brothers. And now, being able to extend that same care and support to Uncle Bill and Uncle Jerry, who have become part of our extended family, feels like a full-circle blessing. It's a beautiful way to live out the principles we find in scripture, like Deuteronomy 10:17-19: "For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt." This passage beautifully reminds us to care for those who are vulnerable, for we ourselves were once strangers in a strange land.   

As I prepare for church tomorrow, another passage comes to mind, one that speaks to the breadth of God's love and our call to prayer: 1 Timothy 2:1-4: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." This reminds me that our community extends beyond those we share breakfast with; our prayers and care should encompass all people, reflecting God's desire for everyone to know His love.   

That vibrant gathering, filled with laughter and shared food, was a powerful reminder of the importance of community and the simple act of showing love through generosity. Now, as Saturday unfolds with a quieter pace, I'm reflecting on how that outward expression of love, coupled with our prayers for all, nourishes our inner selves. It's in these moments of stillness that I feel the deeper resonance of those connections and our responsibility to the wider world.

My journey through "Forgiving What You Can't Forget" continues to teach me that extending grace to others, both near and far in our prayers, is also a crucial part of extending grace to ourselves. The community we're building, brick by breakfast and lifted in prayer, feels like a tangible manifestation of that forgiveness and a step towards a brighter future, together with all of God's children.

So, as this peaceful Saturday morning unfolds, I carry the warmth of our fellowship and the call to universal prayer in my heart, guided by the timeless wisdom of Deuteronomy 10:17-19 and 1 Timothy 2:1-4. It's a reminder that whether we are gathered around a table sharing a meal or finding solace in quiet reflection and prayer, God's love is present, weaving through our connections and reaching out to all.

What blessings are you reflecting on this Saturday morning, friends? How does the love you share with those around you and your prayers for all people enrich your quiet moments? Share your thoughts below! This is Captain Hedges, wishing you a day filled with peace, reflection, and prayer.