29 Aug New experiences for growing boys

An important part of any young person’s life is experiencing something new, whether a place, a person, a game, or a meal. It’s not uncommon, for example, for Westview to be the place where young men experience a new dish for the first time. Recently, a couple of our guys encountered baby back ribs for the first time.

Overstreet House visited the Bruners at Molloy House for dinner last week. Ann prepared corn on the cob, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, and hot dinner rolls. Ron barbequed several racks of baby back ribs for everyone. It was a young feast.

When one of the guys was presented with a plate with two ribs on it, he asked, “What is that?” Several voices answered, “Barbeque ribs!”

“Does it have a bone in it?” he queried. “Yes,” said Ron.

“How am I supposed to eat that?” he worried. “Eat it with your hands like you would a chicken drumstick,” responded Terry Owens.

“I don’t like chicken legs,” he said. “It doesn’t taste like chicken,” Terry answered. “Just try one.”

Fifteen minutes later, the young man had cleaned four ribs to the bone, eaten his corn on the cob and veggies, and put away his roll. He only stopped eating ribs because dessert was ready. He had a new food memory for the years to come. We gained a memory of another shared experience with our young men of God’s goodness and providence.

Life can be full of possibilities if only we remain open to new experiences. We hope this young man’s encounter with a rack of ribs will make him more adventuresome at the table in the future. Who knows what healthy, nourishing, or delicious food he might discover a fondness for? We’re thankful for everyone who makes Westview possible as a safe place for young men to discover the good things that God has placed in this world for all of us.