Meal Times

So many simple things I long for... And many of those things are in my power, as mom, to cultivate.

Such as meal times.

Sitting down unhurriedly, all present with the precious souls that I share my life with.. It's an act of worship, really. A way to say I'll be still now as I break this bread. I'll be thankful and inspire a love of family in these souls; an appreciative spirit for our provisions.

For all our meals we set the table, or the counter, whichever works at the particular time. I've made a real effort to create a certain atmosphere for breakfast; our first meal, the meal that sets the tone.

We light a candle, we say prayers, we become conscious of the Holy One. We give our day to Him. Making it His day. Lord, have your way.

After lunch time is always tea time. It's become a most treasured time.. Mom reads aloud while girls fill themselves with aromatic warmness that calms them and stills them. We talk about what we can do to mesh our lives with God's plan and will. How we can be used.

For dinner time I softly ring the bell.. Oh, and they love it! They come running with eyes gleaming, shining with joy. It is a blessing to have a meal, isn't it? I vow to remember that there are ones without a light in their eyes, and that I could possibly do something about that? About one here, one there. Because I can't help them all shouldn't stop me from helping the ones that I can.

If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one. ~ Mother Teresa

Meal times are sacred times. Food is never to be taken for granted. I frown upon grumbling over what's on a plate. It's not force feeding, it's force seeing. See that food? It's a BLESSING. Sometimes when I try something new I get an upturned nose, but then I give the look.. The look that says you must try it. Thankfully they always like it, but if one day they don't like the meal I serve, the truth goes even deeper, the truth is that there are other things to eat, and that humbles me, and brings upon feelings of unexplainable gratitude. And enormous conviction.. That I want to share my meals. I am blessed that I may bless. It's really as simple as that.

Linked up to: Time Warp Wife, Deep Roots at Home