I have
recently been convicted of not
setting the table for dinner, but
just serving the meal in a haphazard
sort of way. So I have started
setting the table properly just as I
used to do when we had children
still at home. I must say that
somehow the meals "taste" better
with a set table- like drinks seem
to taste better when drunk from a
glass!
Chris is more
relaxed and talkative and has
expressed his appreciation of my
efforts too! Taking care with food
presentation has proven just as
important for us with just the two
of us as when we had the family
eating with us. During my reading of
other blogs and Christian sites, I
have noticed that a lot of women
have been convicted of the same
thing, so my news is by no means
"hot off the press!" ~smile~
Eating
together is important for the
family's sense of togetherness,
whether there are just the two of
you or just you and your children. I
think we should endeavour to create
a peaceful atmosphere whilst we are
eating, both for our digestion's
sake and our sense of pleasure. When
teaching your little ones table
manners, it is best that it be done
in a calm way so that the children
will not develop an aversion to
coming to the dinner table.
I remember
so well my early years with a
drunken father glaring at us whilst
we ate or if he was not eating, a
bachelor uncle who lived with us,
sitting 'tut tutting' as we tried to
eat. (it is always easier to bring
up someone else's children!) It was
very stressful and because we were
all nervous, peas would end up
rolling over the table to the
inevitable "tutting" chorus! We
found we all scoffed our food down
in order to be excused. The dinner
hour was a time of great stress for
us- so please make it a time of
fellowship, laughter and love for
your family!
The family
that dines together experiences a
richness to their life that the
family that eats in front of the TV
or in "shifts" misses out on. Aim to
have all at the table ready to be
served together. Make it the focal
point of the day. With Chris being
on rotating shift, sometimes I have
to serve dinner at lunchtime. You
may have to work around your
family's schedule too. Even if you
set the table nicely for your
children and yourself, it will still
be quality family time.
When your
husband does get to dine with you
when his shift allows, your children
will be well mannered diners and you
should have a great time of dining
and fellowship. Dining together as a
family is a practice that has been
lost in recent years but has
recently been rediscovered. May you
enjoy rediscovering dining with your
family and the pleasure that it
brings.
© Glenys
Robyn Hicks
Psalm 128:3
"Thy wife shall be as a fruitful
vine by the sides of thine house,
thy children like olive plants round
about thy table." |