This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.
This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:23-24
There is such a lot that brings me joy, and if you read this space on a regular basis I’m sure you already have a good idea of what that looks like. In consequence I try to not just live life but to celebrate it, gratefully, day by day.
Thursday evening, driving over to Raleigh in the rain, I was able to check off several joy boxes all at the same time: 1) A date with Rebekah; 2) Enjoying great food at one of the best restaurants in the Triangle; 3) Doing it in the company of wonderful friends.
The occasion was the official “thank you” celebration at the end of the long process and all the diligent work required in selling our Wake Forest house. John and Gayle Akerman are two of our closest Wake Forest friends and John handled both the sale of my parents’ home (in late 2023) and then ours (earlier this month).
We said “any restaurant in Raleigh.” Ashley Christensen’s POOLE’S DINER is one of our very favorites and – as John and Gayle hadn’t been yet – it was the perfect place to celebrate.
Poole’s advertises itself as “A Modern Diner with Reimagined Comfort Food” (“comfort” of course means don’t even think about weighing yourself until after the weekend!).
Three of us went with the off-menu Chateaubriand, Gayle enjoyed the North Carolina fish. All accompanied by the amazing house Macaroni Au Gratin and Brussels Sprouts with Oyster Mushrooms & Sherry Cream.
For appetizers we shared Steak Tartare and Pimento Cheese then, for dessert, Maple Praline Pots De Crème. All with good wine and great coffee.
So What?
Here’s my take-away from this. We live in a difficult, contentious, often heartbreaking moment in not just our nation’s history but the world’s too. The key word however is not “difficult” or “contentious” or “heartbreaking” but “live” – we “live” in this moment.
As followers of the living way of Jesus we are commissioned not just to survive but to really live, to thrive, to find joy and – in our joy – to offer hope.
I will continue to live this journey with all the enthusiasm and the grateful love I can find – and to share this hope and promise too. Carpe vitam (Seize the life)!
– DEREK
