Family Dinner - 6:00. It was right there in my calendar but everything was working against me. One of my kids wanted to skip family dinner and go to a ballgame. Another was running late. My husband was tied up at work. Two of my kids were generally cranky after a long day. I was missing an ingredient for the main course.
Gathering around the table is a priority for Scott and I. Even with two teens we try to meet there several nights a week. The table is where we connect. It's where we talk about our lives and God's work in them. And it's where we open God's word and apply it to our everyday lives. Even though everything was working against me, I stood my ground.
Since our evening was off to a late start, we decided to combine our family devotion with dining. With chicken on our chins, we invited our daughters to share a scripture God was using to impacting their life.
Starting with the youngest we read, talked and listened. The last scripture mentioned was one of redemption. As my hubby began to teach about Jesus' substitution for us on the cross, a hand shot in the air.
"I want that."
Instead of walking the aisle, she walked the length of a farmhouse table into her Daddy's lap. As she repeated the prayer after Him, God welcomed her into His.
What mundane, mashed potato moment could invite God's presence into today?
Like you Shannon the dinner table is a priority for our family. Reading this made my day. It is such a powerful time when God's presence falls on us. We were at the dinner table the other night when my 8yr old daughter told us about how she was laying in bed the other night and encountered the presence of the Lord. She was laying there praying to Him when His spirit fell on her. It is such an amazing feeling knowing that your child is moved in the spirit.
ReplyDeleteSo cool to hear about how you are leading your kids closer to God's heart. :)
DeleteHi Shannon - beautiful. Love moments like that. Humbling
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Amazingly humbling...
DeleteThis was beautiful Shannon. Simply beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks Kenya. XOXO
DeleteGood thing you fought for that dinner, yes? :)
ReplyDelete-loving the post!
Amen. If I hadn't I would have never known what I'd lost...
DeleteWhat a sweet moment. Good for you for making dinner together such a priority. That is something that is important in my family as well, but it's often a challenge with school, sports, homework, and everything else. I'd really miss it if we didn't eat together, though.
ReplyDeleteFor us too! Some many things compete for our attention and we just have to make it a priority.
DeleteWe love mashed potatoes in our home. And we especially love God's word. It's part of our home, too. I'm so glad your little girl is so enthusiastic about God and walking in the light of Jesus. I can't imagine Thanksgiving or other family events in your home - filled with grace from God.
ReplyDeleteBeing filled with God's grace is so much better than being filled with mashed potatoes, huh?
DeleteWhat a very special, unforgettable meal! My own little girl made that same "walk" over breakfast a while back.
ReplyDeleteYay, Julie! Rejoicing with you!!!
DeleteShannon... my heart is glowing with joy for you and your family. How beautiful. With God's grace we can do anything! {and} with God's grace, I wish you continued peace and many, many more blessings... Carla
ReplyDeleteAwwww, thanks! XOXO
DeleteOh how precious that is! You made me cry. =) Nothing better than leading our babes to the Lord and then helping to plant seeds of faith in them and watching it grow. How very exciting...how exciting to think of getting to celebrate her first RE-birthday a year from this special day! PTL!
ReplyDeleteFor sure! God is so good!
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