We Sup .... That's What's Up

Dedicated to and inspired by my father, whose wisdom I carry with me every day, and my dear Sistahfriend Rev Arionne, with whom I shared a lunch last week that sparked this reflection. And to all the others I’ve been blessed to sit and sup with—you’ve shown me that sharing a meal is more than food.

Food has always been one of my love languages, but I’ve come to realize that the act of sharing a meal, conversation, and discovering new places together is an even deeper expression of love and connection.

My father often said, “You can eat with anybody, but you can only sup with a few.” Growing up, I didn’t fully understand what he meant, but now it holds a profound meaning in my heart.

Sup is a Southern term — a way of saying more than just eating. It means sharing fellowship, trust, and a spiritual connection over a meal.

You can share a table with many people, but true soul-level meals, where your heart and spirit feel safe, are precious and rare.

With this piece, I celebrate those sacred moments of sup — soul food for the spirit, body, and mind.

Here’s a reflection from my father

I want to share with you—

“You can eat with anybody, but you can only sup with few.” Rev. Perry Spencer Sr

I realize now what he meant:

It’s easy to sit down,

consume food with anyone,

but to share your heart,

your spirit,

and feel safe—

that can’t be done with everyone.

At the heart of the definition of sup

is an experience we can completely feel.

It means sharing fellowship, trust,

and a spiritual connection over a meal.

You can sit at a table with many people,

but true soul-level meals to share

where your heart and spirit feel safe—

are precious and rare.

Today was the embodiment of that—

beautiful and true.

We didn’t just have a meal,

we supped with one another.

I laugh—

Born in Cali,

Family from the South—

and that word sup

carries a flavor of home.

Today, I understood

what my father already knew—

You can eat with anybody,

but you can only sup with a few.

Soul food

for the spirit,

the body,

and the mind.

A quiet restaurant,

just us for most of the time—

and my heart,

thankful

for the chance

to live my father’s wisdom.

with a friend of my heart , soul and mind..

Let’s Sup.

Sheila