November brings cooler days and a welcome reason to gather around the table. A pot of homemade soup, a little bread, and time with people we care about can turn an ordinary evening into something memorable.
At Crossfire Ministries, we believe the table can be a place of nourishment and connection. Food matters, of course. So do the conversations, laughter, and small acts of generosity shared around it.
This month's Heart to Table recipe is Refried Bean Soup, a simple meal made with familiar grocery ingredients. It serves six and can be doubled to welcome a few more people.
The Heart Behind It
Our November Thrifty Tips for Trying Times resource suggests a “Gather & Give Thanks” family night: make a pot of soup, invite friends or neighbors to bring bread or a side dish, and share an evening together.
You might trade stories of unexpected provision or answered prayer. Set out paper and markers so children and adults can write gratitude cards. Decorate with squash, gourds, or linens you already own. If you have extra soup or pantry items to share, consider taking them to a neighbor.
None of this requires an elaborate menu or a perfect home. The invitation is simply to make room for one another.
That's also part of the heart behind Crossfire's no-cost grocery store. We welcome guests to choose groceries for their own households, honoring the dignity of choice and the knowledge each family has of its own table.
A Devotional Thought
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:16
Generosity often begins with something small: a bowl of soup, a place at the table, a thoughtful note, or a call to someone who could use company.
These gestures may seem ordinary, but they offer a chance to put faith into action. We can give thanks for what we have while looking for ways to care for the people around us.
As Thanksgiving approaches, may our gratitude become something we share.
—RECIPE—
Refried Bean Soup
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 20 minutes
SERVINGS: 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
12 ounces broth (your choice)
16 ounce can refried beans
10 ounce can Ro-Tel tomatoes and green chiles
15 ounce can corn (with juice)
15 ounce can black beans (rinsed & drained)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Add all ingredients to a pot.
Stir well to combine.
Heat on medium until bubbly, stir often to prevent sticking.
Garnish with cilantro, cheese, green onion, sour cream, avocado, and/or salsa.
Serve with tortillas or chips
A Simple Kitchen Note:
November's Thrifty Tips for Trying Times offers another practical invitation: shop your house first.
Before buying something for a holiday gathering, look through your shelves and cupboards. A basket you already own might hold bread or napkins. A serving dish tucked away in a cabinet might be just right for the table. Leftovers and pantry ingredients can inspire the next meal.
A few thoughtful choices can help stretch household resources while leaving plenty of room for warmth and hospitality.
From Heart to Table
A meal doesn't need to be expensive to be generous. Sometimes a simple soup, prepared with care and shared freely, is exactly what an evening needs.
At Crossfire Ministries, we seek to show God's love through no-cost groceries, clothing, and care for individuals and families in tight places. Our hope is that every guest feels welcomed, respected, and free to choose the groceries that work for their household.
Gather. Give thanks. Make room for a neighbor.
Learn more about Crossfire Ministries, our no-cost grocery store, and ways to support our community at crossfireministries.org.
If you would like to help, your generosity helps provide no-cost groceries, clothing, and care for neighbors in tight places. Find out how you can help our neighbors by giving at https://www.crossfireministries.org/donate
