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By Ricinda Perry

I have really enjoyed our time together over this series, and my family has definitely benefitted since it made me more aware of my own bonding opportunities.  In concluding this series, I want to share with you the center hub of family bonding … the dinner table.

What do these things have in common?  The Last Supper, restaurants, and Thanksgiving.  A table.  This is probably one of the most underutilized pieces of furniture in our home.  Growing up my mom prepared a nightly dinner around the table.  We talked, laughed, created memories, and I look back fondly over this part of home life!  I believe our demanding society and busy schedules have taken this away from families.  Too often we grab a Subway sandwich and sit down on the couch, barely thinking of what we are eating, while staring at the television set.

Recently my husband and I took on a couple major projects.  Fast food, driver seat meals became all too routine.  Last night (while nearing the end of our projects) my husband and I sat down at the outside table with a warm gentle breeze blowing (sorry for those who got hit with another late spring snow storm) and ate together.  Since we weren’t driving and eating or eating in front of a television set, we actually looked at each other and talked.  Sounds kind of silly as I write this out, but this meal was one of the most enjoyable moments we shared in over a month.  The food was more delicious than expected, and I found myself feeling happy and content.  Before I knew it, I was fellowshipping with my spouse while enjoying the food God provided before me.

Here is what I discovered. We need to fellowship while we dine.  This cannot be done on the run, in the car, or in front of a television.  We need to make a conscious effort to clear off the table clutter, set the table and enjoy a meal with our family.  Too busy?  Pick up the meal at the restaurant of your choice and actually set plates on the table, unwrap the food, and put it on the plates.

Thanksgiving is memorable because we generally break bread around a table and fellowship with our families.  Why not enjoy these special occasions weekly or even nightly?  I think you will be surprised by how good it feels to listen to dinner chatter.  It’s almost music to my ears.  We can share our hearts from our stressful or our fun day telling each other what you did during the day.  Isn’t this more important than the nightly news being spoon fed to you over your sandwich and drink?

Benefits:

  1. Ladies, you get a chance to talk and be heard.
  2. We learn what our children are doing and have a chance to speak into their lives without interruption.
  3. We eat slower = less food = weight loss.  Plus you are more cognizant of what you are eating, meaning you can actually think about and enjoy the flavors of the foods you are consuming.
  4. We use something we paid for … a table and chairs.
  5. You have created quality time at no cost.

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Don’t miss out of this special opportunity.  Being a family means you spend time together, you fellowship and you create memories.  You don’t just go to work, come home and veg out cramming a bagged meal in front of a television … only to wake up the next morning and do the same thing.  Dining around a table is so valuable with so much untapped potential.  Give it a try … even once.  I think you will be surprised by how enjoyable the experience will be for you and your family.

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