Welcome Mat Wednesday: Brandy Bruce

I’ve never met editor and author Brandy Bruce. But after reading the guest post she wrote for today’s Welcome Mat Wednesday, I am pretty convinced we are meant to be friends. Anyone who has heard my Famous Dave’s/BBQ/jacket story (which I’m pretty sure I’ve told around these here bloggy parts) will understand why I say this as soon as you read Brandy’s post.

Brandy is a wife, mom, editor for Focus on the Family, and writer. She has a Heartsong Presents book releasing next spring! AND she’s doing a super sweet giveaway. So be sure to read to the end of her post to see how you can enter to win a three-book set. 

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The Pulled-Pork Moments of Life

IMAG2963-1My husband and I been going to a new church for a few months and hadn’t really made any friends, and even though we were a little hesitant to join a small group, I figured it was the best way to make friends. So we took the plunge and joined. The group had just finished six months of sharing their personal stories. When I say personal story, I mean detailed accounts from birth to current day! It was only our second time attending and I was slated to bring the main dish for dinner. Also, they’d asked me to share my personal story. Talk about pressure.

I was nervous. Cooking for ten people isn’t something I do often. Telling my life story to people I’ve just met isn’t either. We all dropped our kids at one couple’s house where the sitters were, and then drove down the street to another couple’s house for group. I chattered to my husband the whole way to my friend’s house. I just couldn’t get rid of my nerves. Would every one like the dinner? How was I supposed to talk about myself for forty-five minutes? We pulled up in the driveway and I hopped out. I’d been holding a dish filled with pulled-pork in my lap.

I felt a sinking sensation. Sinking . . . as in . . . wet. I looked down at my pants.

Begin the feeling of panic and devastation.

I am soaked in pork juice. It had been leaking onto me the whole time! I basically looked like I’d had an accident. Which I had, but, you know, it looked like more of a bathroom accident. And not a small one. I walk into my friends’ Nisha and Mike’s house. Mike was standing there; he’s a real jokester.9781449707019_COVER.indd

“Don’t talk to me,” I insisted as he took in my horror-stricken face. Nisha walked up. “I need a bathroom and a hairdryer,” I informed her. One look at my pants and her eyes widened. Alone in the bathroom, I took stock of my situation. Soaked through and through (including underwear!). So I begin with the hairdryer. I realize quickly that dried pork juice is super sticky. So I have to rinse everything and then dry all over again. All while knowing dinner is in my car (and on me) and we were supposed to be there five minutes ago! I was literally shaking at this point.

I tried not to cry.

We get there and I put on a pasted smile and try to act natural though in reality I’m a very damp, sticky, unfortunate woman who smells a whole lot like pork and is on the edge of a breakdown. The family’s large dog can’t seem to get enough of me. As we sat down to dinner, he planted himself behind me, consistently nudging me from behind. Not the coolest experience.

It was one of those moments. The kind that don’t go as planned. I seem to have a lot of them.

I keep thinking about the fact that this winter season has been so not what I’d planned—a car totaled, illness, the loss of a grandparent. You know what helps in these moments?

Jesus.

I’m realizing that even in the pulled-pork moments of life (and yes, I absolutely howl with laughter about it now!), Jesus is there, weaving this journey together. Some days are filled with laughter, others anxiety or tears. What can redeem a season with so much heaviness for me? For all of us?

Jesus. He’s amazing at redemption.

I’ve determined that this winter will be one of beauty amid the chaos; that I’m going to be thankful for the journey and trust Jesus with the crazy parts. It’s November, time of turkeys and pilgrims and gratitude. I’m grateful for Jesus. What are you grateful for during this time of year?

eicherI’d love to give one of Melissa’s readers a special gift! So leave a comment and enter to win Jerry Eicher’s Amish trilogy Emma Raber’s Daughter. You could even use it as a Christmas gift!

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Brandy Bruce is a mother to two children, a wife, a book editor, a writer, and someone who really loves dessert. She’s the author of Looks Like Love. She and her family make their home in Colorado. Brandy can be found online at www.brandybruce.blogspot.com.

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    Comments 29

    1. That DOES sound a lot like Melissa’s Famous Dave’s story. Hehe. I’m grateful for Jesus, too, but also for friends who help me through the pulled-pork moments. I really don’t know where I’d be without them. They let me cry, vent, and question…and they pray for me. I couldn’t do life without them.

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        Yep, it’s so similar to the Famous Dave’s story! It makes me happy that I’m not the only one who stuff like this happens to.

        And echoing you on the friends thing. For sure. 🙂

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    2. I can certainly sympathize with the pulled pork incident, I have had something similar happen. I am a big fan of Amish books and would love to win this trilogy, I have never read anything by Jerry Eicher before. Will have to try his books.

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    3. I think we have all had those pulled pork moments, But the Lord is good all the time. Thanks for this great post. I would love to win this series.

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    4. Wow – talk about embarrassing moments – we have all had them 🙂 i would love to win this set of books, & I am going to check out Brandy Bruce’s book also!

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    7. Yes – pulled pork moments abound in my life! I swear they keep us humbled. Thank you for sharing – and reassuring me that I’m not alone in my pulled pork life. 🙂
      lattebooks at hotmail dot com

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    8. The pulled-pork moment brought a smile to my face this morning! All of our experiences certainly make us who we are. I am thankful for the abundant blessings in my life and for God who is the giver.

      texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    10. Great post! It seems hard to believe that we are nearing Thanksgiving and a time of reflection on all we are thankful for. Same as every year, I’m just grateful for family and safety.

      Your book sounds fun, Brandy! Cannot wait to read it at some point – it sounds like my kind of novel. 🙂

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    11. Wow. Sounds like my kind of luck. I’m glad you can laugh about it. Now I remember why I have a crate in the trunk to put my dishes in to take to a dinner. Thanks for the reminder. I would love to win.

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    12. Thanks for the interview. There are so many things to be thankful for, but right now I am thankful for my husband and 2 great (grown) kids.

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    14. Oh my, what a story. We just never know what will come along in our lives but through it all and each step we take our Father is by our side. What a blessing!

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    15. Thanks, Brandy! Your story gave me a laugh – particularly, the part about the dog!

      God has blessed me in so many ways, I am most thankful for my salvation, & the opportunity to share His love with others!

      Thanks for the opportunity to win the set of books!

      bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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