Sunday Supper Newsletter

At Sunday Supper, we gather for reflection and connection. This week's theme is "gratitude." I'm sharing how a moment of pain led me to discover the power of gratitude.

Welcome to Sunday Supper!

Set the Table

Say your grace

Prayer - Dear God, May gratitude ground me, love lead me, and grace cover me. Amen.

Affirmation - I find joy in simple things and express my gratitude.

The Main Dish

Dig in

Sometimes, life has a way of tearing things apart—literally. I learned this lesson while lying in bed, unable to walk, and struggling emotionally.

In February 2020, I went to the YMCA with my kids to play basketball. As usual, I tried to impress them with my athletic moves. But that day, my crossover marked the end of my playing career—I tore my Achilles tendon.

A week later, I underwent surgery to repair the injury. As soon as I woke up, still groggy from the anesthetic, I felt an overwhelming anxiety. I knew I couldn't do everything I usually did for my family or myself. The realization hit hard, and I did what I needed to do—I cried.

The day I began my rehab, my husband started working from home several days per week to help me, and the children stepped up, trying to do everything they felt necessary to keep the household together. We found our groove and adjusted well.

Just a few weeks later, the world changed. Coronavirus ravaged countries worldwide, and social distancing became the norm. Thankfully, because of my injury, my family had already made the transition. While others scrambled to adjust, we found ourselves surprisingly prepared, and for that, we were grateful.

Even though we were prepared, my injury and the coronavirus increased my angst. To reset emotionally and spiritually, my husband and I began purposely starting each day with expressions of gratitude. Before saying "good morning," reaching for our phones, or hearing our kids' footsteps, we spent the first few minutes expressing gratitude to God for whatever came to mind. This simple ritual transformed my attitude and strengthened me during my recovery.

Practicing gratitude taught me that even through my injury, uncertainty about the world, change, and anxiety, there's always something to be grateful for.

Starting the day with gratitude helped me focus on the good, stay present, and find joy in the little things—like the chance to spend more time with my family, hear the birds chirping outside my window, and write a book while recovering. It showed me that my physical, emotional, and spiritual healing begins with gratitude.

Although I had to give up my hoop dreams, I'm grateful that this time helped me make gratitude a purposeful practice.

Pot Likker and Cornbread Crumbs

There’s flavor in the small things.

Who do you need to thank but haven't? Take time this week and share your "thank you," even if you need to thank yourself.

Potluck

From Our Community Kitchen

Mary J. Blige serves nostalgia and a fresh set of bops in her newest album, “Gratitude.”

Thirty years ago, her release of the album “My Life” ushered in a new phase of storytelling, grit, and relatability in music, and she’s been rocking and rolling since.

Need some inspiration? Check out her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Speech.

“You don’t have to wait until you’re perfect to feel worthy. You are worthy. You are worthy. And when I tell you this, when I was at my worst, I didn’t know this, but God approved in me at my worst, and he still approves in me and he approves in us all. So just continue to do whatever work you’re doing.” - Excerpt from Mary J. Blige’s Hall of Fame Speech

Gospel artist Lisa Page Brooks set the internet on fire with her viral video, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah—now known as The Grateful Chant. Her viral moment and freestyle song of gratitude happened shortly after her husband's funeral. Through her grief, she expressed herself with song, and because of her gratitude, people all over the world witnessed what was possible, even while experiencing grief.

Lisa Page Brooks' Grateful Chant reminds us of the benefits of gratitude, even while grieving. Her question, "Is anybody grateful?" calls us to pause and reflect on our blessings, not as a way to ignore our feelings but as a way to get strength.

Today, I am grateful for the gift of connection—the relationships with family, friends, community, and you, the one reading this newsletter. These connections remind me that even in difficult times, we are not alone, and our bonds have the power to uplift and heal us.

What about you? What's one thing you're grateful for?

Recipe Exchange

One of the staples in my childhood home was cornbread. My mom or dad made a fresh pan in their black cast iron skillet almost daily. A meal was only complete with a piece of cornbread.

My parents heated about two tablespoons of oil in the pan until it was hot, and then they slowly poured the cornbread mixture into the hot pan. I can still hear the sizzle. After a couple of minutes, the hot pan went into the oven, and twenty minutes later, our meal was complete. I am grateful for this memory!

My Parent's Cornbread Recipe

• 1 cup Yellow Cornmeal

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• A little sugar if they were feeling fancy

• 4 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup milk

• Two large eggs

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter

Mix all ingredients, put the mixture in your favorite cast iron skillet, place the skillet in an oven heated to 425°F, and bake for 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!

Table Talk

Join the Conversation

I am grateful for Black Farmers. To show my gratitude, I buy fresh produce from them. Last week, I bought fresh vegetables and jam from Browntown Farms and look forward to cooking and enjoying a farm-to-table meal with my family.

Dessert

A Sweet Send-Off

Keke Palmer joined Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, where she shared great stories and, most importantly, showed gratitude for her journey and family.