I fondly remember evening meals when I was growing up. 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. Those were times when we kids learned how Christian adults deal with life, although we didn’t realize we were being schooled. Gathered around a meal, talking about everyday things, there was and still is opportunity to share a good word with one another from God.
Today many families seldom eat together because of the press of busy schedules. Diane and I experienced that some evenings when our children were growing up but that was the exception, not the rule. With the holiday season upon us, you have many opportunities to strengthen your family’s bonds of affection by sitting around the table and talking. For your family’s sake, please do. TV, you’re off! Phones and tablets, you’re so out of here!
Jesus used meals together to relax and teach (Mark 2:15-17). He used meals together to show His care and compassion for people (Mark 6:30-44; 8:1-10). Jesus used meals together to deal with serious issues; “one of you will betray me” (Mark 14:18). Jesus used a meal together to give us that most special meal we share in His name on Sundays, the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:22-25), “a foretaste of the feast to come” (Lutheran Service Book, 166).
You’ll find meals together one of the most effective tools for good parenting and better marriages. Awaiting you is more than the grace of the mealtime prayer. 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. Amen.”
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