incourage-table
As the calendar page flipped, I’ve spent my time trying to organize my thoughts, re-arrange my schedule, and simplify my time. My moments haven’t been filled with many immediate high impact choices, yet rather letting days drift to a subtle and relaxing beat.

As I read all the inspirational resolutions and One Word choices with their heartfelt reasonings, there’s something in me that feels off, like I need to have more direction or “drive”; a resolute attitude to kick the new year into higher gear, but it just hasn’t come.

So I step back and sort out my feelings. I try to readjust my attitude and turn my heart to the simple, holy moments of the day. It feels like I might be searching too hard, trying to fit some skewed puzzle piece into its designated spot so that my moments appear a bit more grandiose than they really are.

Why? Because the only calling that I’m hearing right now when I ask for divine direction is “Start getting meals back on the dinner table.”

Yes, I told you, super spiritual, right?

the-mundane-and-the-magnificent- intersect at the table

Yet for our family and I bet yours too, the mundane and the magnificent intersect around the table, allowing for those holy moments to happen when we SLOW down and let them.

Meals together are small acts with significant importance.

Over and over these past few weeks I’ve been reminded that little things mean everything. I understand busy SCHEDULES, deadlines, and unending “chauffeur” jobs paired alongside that constant nag that I’ve let the ball drop and something’s been forgotten.

Before the HOLIDAYS, those dropped moments were our consistent family meal time. Once our college kids arrived home, our eleven-year-old daughter pleaded, “Mom, I just want us to eat together all the time like we used to.”

She felt it — that loss of soul nourishment and communion that percolated around our table. In the midst of our daily routine, those moments were our life giving pause. Yet that’s been the issue for me lately. In the middle of our hectic SCHEDULE, having dinner ready regularly had been thrown on the back burner.

So how did a Bible verse, which I’ve read numerous times, convict me about stewarding our meal times better?

The phrase “day by day” struck me.

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts. Acts 2:46
Their choices were so “daily,” but in this most ritualistic act, holy moments of gratitude emerged.

What a gift I’ve been given to prepare and then break bread daily with my family and friends.

Such-a-beautiful-pie-crust-at-Old-Salem

Food is a means to satisfy hunger, but mealtime holds the power to revolutionize the way families and friends connect.

How can I not create moments and memories in our day for those who gather around our table?

Day by day, meal by meal, bread will be broken, His Word will be revealed, and the true bread of life will nourish amidst the most daily of rituals. I won’t let that pass us by.

As I’m convicted once again about the importance of gathering around the table, it’s challenged me to steward my time and resources well, which that means jumping the hurdles that keep me from making it a reality.

Many of us struggle in getting homemade meals on the table quickly and easily, but know that we are in this together. Sometimes we over think things. It may be as easy as learning new tips like using the crock pot to cook ground beef in bulk or realizing that this simple BBQ chicken turns into three new meals.

So while my first few weeks didn’t reveal some new, life changing, revelation, it opened my eyes to the significant moments that never left: the daily ones that are the most important.

Are there any “just so daily” moments that we can celebrate together?

I originally posted this at (in)courage where I then continued it with some tips for easy family dinners.