The Doughnut Principle
Scripture: Hebrews 11:1, Jeremiah 17:7, Philippians 1:6, Psalm 27:3
Activities
- Serve coffee and donuts at the USO or Veterans Hospital on Donut Day.
- Deliver handwritten cards of gratitude to the veterans thanking them for their service.
- Visit nursing homes with lap blankets and donut holes offering spiritual and emotional care to the residents.
Make Salvation Army Donuts. Here’s a link to the original recipe.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/the-famous-salvation-army-donut-recipe-recipe-2103906
Ways to Celebrate National Donut Day
https://thehousethatlarsbuilt.com/2023/05/5-ways-to-celebrate-national-donut-day.html/
The Doughnut Principle
When my mom, Judith Hamlet arrived in Vietnam in 1963 with 12 other women of the Army Nurse Corps to serve their country, they had no idea what to expect. They traveled on a ship filled with men to a foreign land and into war combat. They hoped to make a difference, not just physically with their nursing skills, but emotionally and psychologically, caring for the men who valiantly fought the war. My mom will tell you that it was the scariest experience of her life, but also the most adventurous one, where she exercised her faith and developed and utilized her greatest confidence.
When The Salvation Army sent women to the frontlines of battle in France in 1917, they also traveled far away from home to simply serve. They were called to live out a confident faith, in an unknown and dangerous place, believing that they could make a difference. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we don’t see.” Like my mom, they willingly went to serve, not knowing what that service would entail.
They were sent to WW1 to serve as God’s confident messengers to the troops on the frontlines, just as we as are all sent to serve, as God’s confident messengers, to the everyday war against sin. Jeremiah 17:7 says, “But blessed in the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”
John J. Pershing, General in The United States Army, and Evangeline Booth, National Commander of The Salvation Army specifically sent the doughnut girls to boost the morale of the military men. In support of U.S. soldiers fighting in France during WWI, about 250 Salvation Army volunteers traveled overseas and set up small huts located near the front lines where they could give soldiers clothes, supplies and, of course, baked goods. Two volunteers began frying donuts in soldiers’ helmets. These tasty treats boosted morale and won the hearts of many soldiers. Nicknamed “Donut Lassies,” the women who served donuts to troops are often credited with popularizing the donut in the United States when the troops (nicknamed “doughboys”) returned home from war.
They developed donuts from the resources available to not only satisfy physical hunger, but to nourish spiritual need. What they did with rustic dough fried in a helmet was amazing. The donut became the comfort food for the front lines, assured the troops they were supported from home, and boosted their confidence.
The volunteers ‘donated’ so much more than donuts. Women on the front lines, not only reflected, but brought confidence to life by trusting in the abilities and qualities God had placed in them. As we can imagine, the scarcity of resources was a challenge. They put all of themselves in those donuts that became more than a physical but spiritual meal, bringing up the confidence to the valiant soldiers. Our confidence in God can be spread through service reminding others that God is there, and He will faithfully complete His work and purpose in us, no matter the circumstances.
Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” We are reminded of God’s good work in us. This scripture is statement of great confidence and assures us that we are being transformed into the image and likeness of Christ. Our hearts, minds, desires, character and will are works in progress and we can confidently rely on upon God to finish His work.
Sometimes we are willing to serve, but our strength is tested. We are placed in an unknown situation, where we have no instruction manual, and we need to be resourceful. This could lead to us being overwhelmed and left wondering what exactly we signed up for? Can you imagine how being one of very few females in an environment of all men, could easily test your confidence?
We are all, individually and congregationally, sent to serve those in need, with genuine care and compassion. The battlefield is the world we live in, and the communities we call home. The huts are the places we spend time with each other and invite friends in. The frontlines are in our homes among our parents, children, and families.
We are to be confident. Rely on God. Work with each other. Impact community. Inspire the world. Psalm 27:3 says, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise against me, yet I will be confident.” We can be confident, despite fear. The Oxford dictionary definition of confidence is “the feeling of belief that one can rely on someone or something: firm trust.” Confidence is a feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities. Example: “she is brimming with confidence.” Confidence in God, ourselves and each other.
This month we celebrate what was started over a century ago. National Donut Day started in 1938 in Chicago as a tribute to The Salvation Army “Donut Lassies” who supported our troops on the front lines during World War I. It is celebrated annually on the first Friday in June. This year, that will be Friday, June 5th.
May we be like the Donut Girls, filled with powerful confidence. May we boldly go and serve, knowing that are making a difference.
References:
Salvation Army Doughnut Girls of WWI – YouTube
https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northcentralillinois/donut-day-history/
