La Raclette

Yesterday we spent a lovely day with sister-in-law Geneviève, walking, talking, seeing the sights around her home in Pontault-Combault, on the outskirts of Paris.

‘We’re having dinner tonight with Sara and Fred. We shall have ‘La Raclette’. Sara is Geneviève’s daughter, our niece… so that will be good… but La Raclette?

I googled it… Raclette is a traditional Swiss dish, made with melted cheese, usually served with potatoes…

…We arrived at Sara and Fred’s, we met their children – delightful young people. It was good to get to know them a bit better. There was good conversation and lots of laughter…

…We sat round the table for a wonderful meal – meat, salad, potatoes… There was a raclette grill in the middle. Sausages were cooked on top. Underneath we melted our cheese, and then poured it onto our meal so that it covered our potatoes and meat…

Barriers were melted… In a family where they always speak French they made a special effort to speak English. Their children practiced the English they had learnt at school (their English was certainly better than our French!!) We learnt about geology in Corsica, marriage at the local town hall, flooded schools, the French view of Americans… family, church, work, studies…

Hearts were melted… It wasn’t just words and polite conversation. There was a warmth about the evening that was deeper than just words. Meeting family that we have only met a few times before was a real joy and privilege. Names in letters, photos on Facebook become living, loving people.

Musing on raclette… melting, pouring, covering…

Jesus saying: ‘This is my blood poured out for you.’

Paul saying: ‘Hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts.

Peter saying: ‘Love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.’

Musing on my life… melted, poured, covering… God’s love melting my heart, poured into my heart, covering me and those around me…