Church in the Dishwasher

So I learned something cool when I was unloading the dishwasher at work today. I was taking my dirty coffee mug back to the kitchen and the dishwasher had a note clipped to it that said "clean." There were dishes in the sink under the "DON'T LEAVE DISHES IN THE SINK" sign and it was after 5:00 so I figured I might as well unload the dishwasher and clean things up a bit.
Unloading the dishwasher at work is way different than at my mom's house, or anyone else's house I've ever been to. I took out the plates first. There were three heavy white plates with a thick blue trim. There was one thin off-white plate with ugly floral designs on it. There was one that was kind of squarish. There were a few others that I can't remember now, but I just remember being so shocked at the miss match of it all.
The silverware was the same. I smiled to myself when I unloaded the mis-matched spoons with different patterns and handles, because I've always thought it would be cool to have random dishware instead of matching dishware. That way everyone gets something unique at their place at the table. Some forks are smooth, some are bent, some have fancy designs but there is only one of them.
The mugs were the best. The one I drank from today said "Anchorage, Alaska" and had a city-scape, which, considering the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, struck me as pretty funny. It had good colors though, which was why I picked it. I unloaded some that matched- I think someone probably donated a set as they matched the heavy white plates with blue trim. There was one mug that had a label on the bottom. "MATHESON." I guess Mr. or Miss Matheson did not want to lose their mug in the dishwasher shuffle, although I put it back on the shelf with the rest of the eclectic collection.
I thought about potlucks while I was unloading the dishwasher. I love potlucks. We had one last week at our church, and even though you might be stuck at the end of the line and have to eat the most suspect casserole, no one goes hungry at a potluck. I used to want to have a potluck wedding reception. I thought that would be so great- everyone brings their favorite food and we all share and are happy and full and smile and dance. Then my mother told me it was very tacky to invite people to a potluck wedding. And I can see why. But I still love the idea that if everyone shares, no one goes hungry.
The office dishwasher is like that. Well, the whole kitchen is, but the dishwasher made me think of it. Everyone brings their extra dishes, or maybe they just bring their own dishes, but they share them. Some people don't bring any dishes. I don't. I don't have any to give right now. I haven't cooked a meal since last spring- I don't have dishes or even a lot of food. But somebody brought an extra "Anchorage, Alaska" mug so that I could drink coffee (made by someone else) while I stuffed envelopes. And I just think that's so beautiful. And it's tacky. Real tacky. Nothing matches at all. But it's so great. It works and the people who have old ugly flower plates and overstock of mugs at their houses are happy to share, and the people who need ugly flower plates and don't have houses are happy to have something to use.
So maybe I won't have a potluck wedding, but I sure want to have a potluck life. I am thankful to the people in my life who have brought more right now when I don't have anything to bring but my appetite. And I can't wait until I have an abundance of suspect casserole to share.