A very special meal

 

一顿特殊的午餐

Once there was a very poor and devoted woman who always prayed to the Glory of God, asking very little, if anything for herself.

从前有一个很贫穷，很虔诚的妇人，她常常向圣明的上帝祷告，但却基本上不为自己祈祷什么—即使偶尔有一次，也索取很少。

But one thought, one desire continued to recur and finally she asked, petitioning the Lord,that if it were possible she would love to prepare a special meal and have God share at her table.

然而，总有一个念头，一种愿望不断地出现，于是她向上帝祷告:如果可以，她愿意特别准备一顿午餐，邀上帝与自己共享。

And God, in His Love for this goodly woman, said He would indeed come the next day and share a meal.

上帝深爱着这个善良的子民，于是他接受了她的邀请，承诺第二天定会与她共进午餐。

Filled with ecstasy, the woman went out the following morning with her meager purse and purchased such delicacies that she felt would please the Lord.

妇人欣喜若狂，尽管没什么钱，但她还是一早出门，买了许多美食，她认为上帝会喜欢。

Returning home, she prepared a banquet and waited patiently for her most honored guest.

一回到家，妇人便准备了一桌假药，耐心地等待着最尊贵的客人光临。

Soon there was a knock on the door, and when she opened it, there stood an old beggar asking for something to eat.

不一会儿，门外响起了敲门声。妇人忙去开门，站在门外的是一个要饭的老乞丐。

Being a woman of God, she could not turn the beggar away, so she invited him in to partake of her table.

作为上帝的子民，妇人不能让自己赶走老乞丐，于是便邀请他进屋共进午餐。

The beggar felt as if he was in a dream—such a feast set before him.He finished all the food, thanked his hostess and left.

老乞丐做梦也没想到会有人如此款待自己。他一口气吃光了所有的美食，向妇人道过谢，便离开了。

The woman was only slightly disheartened, and then she gathered up her purse, her coat,and hurried back to town to get more food for her special guest.

妇人有一点失望，但仅仅是一点点。很快她就拿上钱包，穿上外套，匆匆忙忙回到镇上，她要去给她的贵客再买些吃的。

Her funds were less now and so the food was not quite so elaborate.

这次，妇人的钱所剩无几，买的食物也没有上次的那么美味了，

Nonetheless, she lovingly prepared another meal and sat to await the arrival of the Almighty.

但她还是精心地准备了另一桌饭菜，期待着上帝的大驾光临。