This excerpt is somewhat along the lines of the one I shared yesterday, but is actually taken from the other book I'm currently working through. Good stuff that I am really being freshly challenged and inspired by-- and I hope it blesses you, too!
This is the day of the 'TV frozen dinner,' stuck in an oven, served on a tray in front of the TV set, no conversation, no blessing being said, no Person being thanked, because there is no-one in the universe to thank. It is the day of 'grabbing a bite' and going on to the next engagement. The art of living together, of being a family, is being lost... And in this need to get back to 'gracious living,' to real communication among people living together, it seems to me one place to start could be the meal-time moments, and the careful prepartion of the background for conversations at that time.
...There is a 'togetherness' in sharing a prepared table that even very small children feel, although they cannot express it verbally. Instead of saying, "Oh it doesn't matter; it's only the children," when you are alone with children for a meal, it is important to say the opposite to yourself... It can be something that takes very little time indeed, but when the children are alone, do not let that be the moment to sit down at a bare table, or not to bother sitting down at all. Even the little one in the high chair will like to smell a single rose and look at it for a few minutes. Imagination not only provides the background of beauty to daily life, but also a realization that love, thought and preparation has been given to that 'together' time of eating.
...There is a 'togetherness' in sharing a prepared table that even very small children feel, although they cannot express it verbally. Instead of saying, "Oh it doesn't matter; it's only the children," when you are alone with children for a meal, it is important to say the opposite to yourself... It can be something that takes very little time indeed, but when the children are alone, do not let that be the moment to sit down at a bare table, or not to bother sitting down at all. Even the little one in the high chair will like to smell a single rose and look at it for a few minutes. Imagination not only provides the background of beauty to daily life, but also a realization that love, thought and preparation has been given to that 'together' time of eating.
wise and timely words for our world.
ReplyDelete-from one of my favorite books ever. I love how Edith tones it down so everyone is encouraged to make the table a beautiful and desirable place to gather. No fancy china necessary! A vase of wildflowers, a thoughtfully arranged tray of fruit, something "fun" for the kids: pasta shapes in their soup,etc etc.
A moment of thought, a kind gesture, a healthy yet inexpensive meal: these are precious things in this day & age. But so life-giving!Thanks for sharing it.
This book was such a huge encouragement to me. God used it to affirm things He was showing me, and over the years I can only say, "Yea, and amen!" So blessed to read portions again.
ReplyDelete