‘Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you.’ Rev 3:20 MSG
Comment
How seldom it happens these days – the good old-fashioned family meal, sitting down together once a day over food, all phones silenced. It may be the one fixed meeting point of a busy day, where subtly and without our knowing exactly how, family bonds are tightened. For us it wasn’t easy to keep up when we had teens in the house and we didn’t always manage it. But we kept on trying.
Although our nest is empty now, we still try and eat our evening meal together, to share food and conversation and life. Without some fixed point, we might become two loaded freighters steaming through dark waters in different directions, perhaps not seeing the shoals and storms ahead. For us it’s a daily course correction, even if we do nothing more ‘spiritual’ than thank God for the meal.
The Jewish calendar is dotted with feasts and Jesus certainly knew the value of fellowship over a meal. Is there a way to schedule your week differently, to make time for family meals? Think how you might improve the atmosphere at meal times.
Prayer (as a couple)
Heavenly Father, we pray that our home will be a place where people feel loved and accepted, and that this will be very evident around our table. Amen
Prayer (for others)
Lord Jesus, we especially pray for _______ and _______ who seem to have very hectic lives. Help them to stop occasionally for a quiet meal together. Amen
Quote
GOD spoke to Moses: ‘Tell the People of Israel, These are my appointed feasts, the appointed feasts of GOD which you are to decree as sacred assemblies.’ Lev 23:1 MSG
