Spillin' The Beans, Paperback

Mary Onezima Ralph Bradley was the quintessential hostess, graciously feeding groups from class reunions to business meetings to lonely parolees, often incorporating their problems as her own. The Southern version of The Matchmaker, she matched jobs to the jobless, income sources to the penniless, living water to the spiritually dry. Her home was a haven for the downtrodden, some for hours, others for years.

Lanita Boyd loves sharing her mother's special recipes. Each chapter ends with a tried-and-true Southern recipe from Mary's dilapidated recipe books.

She also loves sharing stories that highlight her mother's shortcomings, for they are lively and entertaining. Yet people were always awed at Mary's faith and her energy to serve God in every circumstance. Your sense of humor will hang on to how flawed she was; your faith will be strengthened by her total trust in God.

Mary Bradley's spirit lives--the true part of her that was devoted to serving God and others. The tempers and her demanding nature were nothing compared to her dedication to service and to Jesus Christ.

We can be greatly flawed and still be warriors for the Lord. We can fail and we can fall. We can miss the mark in multitudes of ways, but with our eyes on our Savior, our failures are turned to triumphs. We can face life with grace and humor as we serve in preparation for that heavenly kingdom. This is the greatest recipe that Mary Onezima Ralph Bradley left for her family.