Last week my daughter was in town to get two new tires and the brakes on her car replaced. It was also the day of the week that Scott normally goes out for lunch with Marcus. So Scott invite us girls to lunch, too. Now that she lives farther away from us, we don’t see her as often. So it was great to get together for a quick meal and see her real face instead of an emoji.
As I write this, my mind goes back to times when my kids were active in school sports and clubs. It was tough to get together for dinner because of their schedules, but we tried our best by eating quite late or earlier than normal. Eating dinner together was a routine that was set when they could sit on a highchair and eat solid food by themselves.
Scott’s family had a tradition of having holiday meals together. We would travel as much as 8 hours on the road to get to his parents’ place. There are lots of great memories of those times. I learned the difference between dinner and supper.
Eating together as a family or with friends is a great way to get to know each other better. Growing up, it seemed that every event or gathering had food served. I remember, as a child, going to people’s homes with my mom and being served food that I was unfamiliar with. Whenever someone visited our home, my mom would always serve some snacks and if it was close to mealtime, she would invite them to stay and join us.
Sharing a meal is a great expression of fellowship, love, and serving. As mentioned in the post “Huge Family,” I was a member of a university student club. Every Sunday morning, this club had a public meeting with some singing and a guest speaker. After the meeting, lunch was served. Different groups took turns at preparing the lunch for the meeting. It was a way for each member to serve and have fellowship with each other and the community.
The Believers Instruction Book: Living Edition says that our Lord will spread a delicious banquet in Jerusalem for all people of the world. In the last book, it says that those invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb are blessed. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus had many fellowships during meals.
The early believers met in homes to break bread and shared their food with sincere hearts. Let’s follow their and Jesus’ example of eating together to have fellowship and community.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the opportunities of gathering together to share a meal with others, especially family. Help us to be hospitable and generous to others especially with food because our meals come from You. May everything we do and say glorify You.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Verses
Isaiah 25:6 The Lord will spread a wonderful feast for all people
Revelations 19:9 Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb
Luke 22:15 Jesus was very eager to eat the Passover meal with the apostles
Acts 2:46 Believers met in homes for the Lord’s Supper and shared meals.
Song
“Come and Dine” by Charles B Widmeyer is what the Holy Spirit chose since I was going to give up on finding a song that fits this post. It is a hymn sometimes titled, “The Master Calleth.”
Call to action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then schedule a night to have dinner as a family if you normally don’t or if you do, invite another family to join yours. Even though it might be extra work, you’ll be glad you did!