I fondly remember evening meals when I was growing up near Chicago. Every meal started with grace and then we dug into whatever Mom had prepared. We also dug into conversation. Most of the table talk was mundane, quickly forgotten. But you know, that’s when God did – and still does – some of His best for a family. When you’re gathered around a meal, talking about everyday things, there’s always an opportunity to share a good word with one another from God.
Today many families seldom eat together because of the press of busy schedules. We’ve justified it with a false distinction between quality and quantity time. You need both. Recommitting to the old habit of family meals gives quantity time from which quality moments spring. You’ll find it one of the most effective tools for good parenting and better marriages. Awaiting you is more than the grace of the mealtime prayers. The greatest grace awaiting you in family meals is that in the midst of everyday talk you can share with one another God’s words of help and hope.
“Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and let Thy gifts to us be blest.”
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