“Mr. Elvis” by April Boddie
Cooking and I have covered some grounds in our day. Operating in the hospitality industry has allowed me to see some pretty influential faces and yummy faces. Played in some pretty hobnob circumstances and the humblest of places. I have met utterly amazing folks and made some beautiful and flat out delicious food.
Can I get an “Amen!”?
BUT never did I think I would cook for the VBCC client. THE V by the duck pond BCC, the concert hall, where me and my friends from Davis Hills Elementary screamed our heads off for New Edition!
To be cooking for a star was expected hence VBCC. The name, however, was totally unexpected. Elvis was the VBCC client on my Taste contract. Elvis? Pelvic-rolling Elvis? Even in my dreams, I cooked for the older Elvis with the pot belly rocking the one-piece jumpsuit, not the young, skinny, cool one. Lo and behold, I find myself cooking for them both. Well both impersonators that is. God truly has a sense of humor. These impersonators were creepily spot on down to mannerisms and equipped with an entourage.
Elvis party of 20 was an eclectic crew of magicians, socialites, singers, and production engineers. They were all interesting to watch but there was one in their entourage that caught my eye; she was a seasoned black woman. She just sat there, smiled, ate and thanked me profusely. Her name was Mrs. Estelle Brown, formerly with “The Sweet Inspirations.” One of her former group members was Sissy Houston, mother of the late Whitney Houston. In 1969, Mr. Elvis signed her on as his background, and to date, she is his oldest backup singer.
You can only imagine some of the stories that were shared at that table. She told how her current duo sells out arenas all over the United States, but especially outside of our country. I found that odd, so I asked her why were overseas sales better? It’s what she said next that I will never forget. “It’s because Mr. Elvis’s manager was an illegal,” she simply stated. “He couldn’t leave the country, so he never booked Mr. Elvis outside of the United States.”
“He never knew his success overseas, Baby, because he was never introduced to it. See, Baby, you gotta be careful who you hem yourself up with, they can distract you from something big and global with something local.”
Chills went all over my body as I stood there speechless from the weight of her words and the wealth of her lived-out knowledge. She then thanked me again and said she would be praying global blessings over my business. I started to tear up at the epic famous table, so I simply said, “Thank you so much for your prayers, and it was my pleasure, ma’am.” My legs were rubber as I headed back to my assigned work space. As I entered and looked around the breathtaking kitchen, my heart overflowed with gratitude for the now. The right now, not the yesterday, not the tomorrow but the now! I thanked God for His wonderful favor, my unpredictable life and His perfect will.
The beauty of dinner parties, as a chef, have always been my favorite. They give you a unique opportunity to interact with the guests. Setting their food down in front of them creates a divine space for conversation. Conversations that will stick with you for a lifetime will happen over plates, whether it is when placing one before someone, picking one up, or sitting down in front of one with someone.
It is a sacred place for both deep and surface-level conversation.
Gems are dropped on tables, sweet family, in many ways. Gems of Immense value are freely given there.
The next time you see an opportunity to engage in a conversation with someone new, please jump right in. You will be surprised with the treasures that you will take with you.
Most of all, as Mrs. Estelle said, watch who you hem yourself up with. Remember God gets his work done on earth through people and so does the enemy. If the good Lord needs His people, brothers and sisters, so do we! In the words of my sweet friend Katie, “if we have the ministry of reconciliation, the enemy has the ministry of division.”
We are so much better together, family. Get out there and pick YOUR background singers but, make sure that God builds your band, not man. God’s band members care nothing about being seen as long as the Father’s voice is heard. There is no competition or vanity in Christ Jesus. And always watch and listen to those in the background; oftentimes, little do you know, they have the most powerful voices.
I praise God that I listened to the voice of Mrs. Estelle because I will never forget what she said, but most of all, what God said in her sweet humble voice.
Father God, I pray that we can all create time and space to cook, invite people to eat at our tables, serve someone and just converse. May we exchange stories and share our hearts over something breathtakingly good. I pray that You would bless us all with full pantries, long tables and short walls. I pray that we will always give our best to the tasks that You lay before us. Lord bless us all with the courage that we need to go to new places, see new things and engage with new people. Bless all of my fellow service people with patience for your people and prosperity in business; increase their territory from something local to everything global. May we give carefully, forgive swiftly and love constantly.
In the name of the one who came to serve the world,
Amen
About the Author: April Boddie
April is a Huntsville native, who is a mother of three and a mama to many. When she was a little girl she wanted to be a race car driver. Now she races around the Tennessee Valley catering to others needs. The joy of the Lord is her strength, and His grace abounds in her life. April’s hope is in Christ and her heart is to serve and love. On any given day you might find her repotting plants, preparing meals and making old things new. April has a love for words and melodies. An undiscovered comedian, she finds the joy of laughter in the darkest of circumstances. Her favorite quote is “If you don’t like something change it and if you can’t change it, change your attitude.” Dr. Maya Angelou
4 Comments
Girl, you are a WRITER! Your delicious words just poured off the page and I was drinking in every one!
WOW! April, you are a treasure and a voice for the KIng! This was funny, sweet and food for thought.
April I just had a chance to read this! It is awesome! I too love meeting and talking to new people because I always hear droplets of wisdom that I never forget – those tweetable moments! And I love that your are willing to be diversified and adapt to all races!
What a ear full and great read!