Juxtapose rose

4:48 p.m. Today's project was to check out the better-quality paper and plastic plates at Costco and later at Smart & Final, for Heidi's wedding reception.

Her heart's desire is really to have china plates (which can be rented for 30-40 cents apiece), but that choice comes with a big hitch: the contracts for all of the companies I checked out and talked with call for the food to be scraped off the plates before they are turned to the containers they came in. That begs an obvious question: who is going to do that? Certainly not the bride and groom! The bridal party, parents of the bride and groom and other family will be seeing the newlyweds off to their honeymooon, bidding guests goodbye and collecting and transporting gifts to our house to be opened when the two return.

Another problem with rented china is that our caterer will not take responsibility for another vendor's equipment. But their staff will set, clear, and throw out disposable products that they or we supply. That's a big plus!

So we are torn. I did get into Costco as a guest of a Bible study friend after a number of us had eaten lunch at Chik-Fil-A. I haven't joined either Costco or Sam's Club lately because we no longer have 7 people at home. When is the next time I'll need two dozen croissants? (Never!)

We examined the paper goods closely, and found large, thick, shiny white plates for .08 apiece. I snapped a cell phone picture and sent it to Heidi. Then at Smart & Final, I sent her pictures of plastic ware, very china-like, good enough, honestly, for any unused ones to function as their daily plates at home. But at .86 apiece, that's more than double the price to rent china.

I juxtaposed a fine china cup with a really cheap paper plate (above) in order to illustrate the contrast between the spectacular formal gardens of the Kimberly Crest Estate, and the cost-effective disposable paper products we might choose. What would the Lord have us to do?We know we can trust Him in even the small details!

Can economy and elegance go hand-in-hand? I texted Heidi this morning and told her that if she could recruit 4 friends willing to serve in clearing the china plates between dinner and the cake, and at the end of the wedding, I'd go ahead with the china rental, so we're now praying about whom to ask!

Psalm 37 verses 3, 4 & 5 promise (and we believe God's promises to be true),

Trust in the LORD, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Delight yourself also in the LORD,

And He shall give you the desires of Your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD,

Trust also in Him,

And He shall bring it to pass.