For Barrow County planner Daunte' S. Gibbs, the past two years have been, as a famous writer put it in 1776, “the times that try men’s souls.”
But Gibbs, one of three African Americans at the center of unresolved Equal Employment Opportunity Commission disputes with the county government, has not emerged from his time of testing as a bitter man.
A licensed minister through Church of Atlanta Lighthouse and also a part-time caterer, he has written a new book entitled, “Soul Food: Soul-Nourishing Devotionals and Recipes.”
Zoe Life Publishing, a small Michigan publisher, published the 108-page book of recipes and devotionals Aug. 16. The book launch and signing party were Sept. 18 at a hotel near the Atlanta airport.
THE BOOK’S GENESIS
The project’s genesis was in January 2007, when Gibbs at the age of 26 said he sensed God’s call to ministry and realized he had the dual gifts of being able “to nurture and help not only the natural but also the spiritual soul of man.” In December of that year, he began writing a monthly devotional and distributing it via e-mail.
“I usually write early in the morning,” he said. “Sometimes I write in the evening or night, or even in my car.”
Also in 2007, he started Gibbs Divine Catering, a weekend venture that he jointly operates with his wife in Winder.
“I cook on a very small scale from time to time from my kitchen at home and deliver to the customer,” he said.
But Gibbs credits his 79-year-old father, Stephen Gibbs Jr. with laying the early groundwork for the book by teaching him to love cooking and to love God.
“Dad cooks and bakes everything,” Daunte' Gibbs said. “He’s amazing in the kitchen!”
He said his father had to take over the kitchen at home after losing his wife, Wanda Mae Davidson Gibbs, at age 33.
“My mother passed away of colon cancer when I was 7, and my grandmothers passed away when I was 9 and 18,” Gibbs said.
His father, who toward the end of his 28-year U.S. Army career was in charge of food and nutrition and preparation, embraced the challenge of cooking for his children.
“Dad worked and made sure we had breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday,” Gibbs said. “He was late to bed and early to rise.
“One of my favorite things Dad made for me, my brother and sister growing up was creamed beef over made from- scratch biscuits for breakfast.”
RECIPES FOR LIFE… AND PEACE
The 12 chapters in Gibbs’ new book pair a devotional with a recipe, and though most of the recipes do not seem to be related to the devotionals, it is noteworthy that the recipe following the message, “Remaining Thankful in the Face of Obstacles,” is “Divine Punch.”
That punch recipe, along with several others in the book, are on the menu of Gibbs’ catering business: sweet potato casserole, three cheese macaroni and cheese, collard greens, glazed baked ham, grilled chicken, grilled steak, and chili.
“I developed each of the recipes from trial and error by putting bits and pieces together that my taste buds really enjoy from different recipes I researched over the years,” Gibbs said.
The book’s recipes for the soul cover topics such as “We Think We Have It All Figured Out” and “You Are What You Speak.”
Not in the book is the recipe for peace that Gibbs has held onto during his EEOC ordeal. It includes one part trust and one part forgiveness.
“Forgiveness is part of the love of God that we should all embrace and unceasingly demonstrate in our lifestyle and actions if we truly love God and live for Him,” he said.
“I cope with the issues of life by giving those burdens over to the Lord.”
“Soul Food” has a cover price of $18.95 and may be purchased online at www.amazon.com or ordered through bookstores.
