Picture this: a marble floor shining so bright you can eat
off it, elegant red curtains with gold trim covering and china fit for royalty.
Priceless paintings hung surrounding a long banquet table. Every chair is full with napkins on laps. Plates
and silverware are neatly arranged as the sounds of Grace fills the air. As I open
my eyes, the fantasy is dashed by a pack of hungry hyenas pouncing on prey. The
incoherent chatter – or perhaps banter – drowns out the picturesque dream world
I was once in. It is a dash for survival; who can assert their dominance – who is
the leader of the pack? Is it the strongest or swiftest? It’s not unheard of to
hear someone shout from the other room “the baby is naked on the table again!” as
we make the final meal preparations – and it is likely followed by an exchange
of desperate looks as we silently shout “Not it!” to one another with a quick
glance. Loser gets to chase the naked baby down and try to get her dressed
before the meatloaf hits the table. Not that we keep track, but I think mom has
the best time so far.
The reality is that there are so many movements in life
where God has seen fit to test our patience – meal time is just one of the
many. Despite the 30 minutes or so of back and forth it is all forgotten as the
final battle ensues - it is the battle that always brings a smile to our faces:
who gets to start Grace. More often than not, family dinners are a challenge
leading up to the ultimate conquering moment when we realize for a brief moment
we must be doing something right. It is the euphoric glow as EG reminds the
rest of the table that we haven’t said grace yet (and MA quickly drops her fork
and hides he squirrel cheeks full of green beans). The Chaos is abated just as
quickly as it began by the acknowledgment of the Lords gifts. Not just those on
the table, but those we have been blessed with as parents. The 6 gifts that
surround the table – hands outstretched to one another.
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all
to the glory of God.”
(1 Corinthians
10:31)
oye, saying a blessing is something so hard for me and the kiddos to try to do together...i dont have anyone to tag team them with.
ReplyDeletemost the time I just end up standing up in the kitchen and eating bites in between helping them, running back and forth from the table to the kitchen for more of this food or napkins or milk or what not....someday we will have a nice civilized meal