While I was having breakfast (eating, ironically) with a friend the other day I asked him what he used to believe that he no longer believes.  Well, he turned it around and talked about something he didn't feel strongly about before but does now.  It had to do with eating together.  The value of a family eating together.

He said that early on in their family life his wife insisted that the family eat together, whatever time that needed to be, in the evening.  Even if one of the kids had some sort of practice after school that lasted into the evening, the family would eat together after that kid got home.  The value being lived was not primarily about "getting food into your stomach" but "eating together."  He noted that because he sees evidence of the value of that now in his adult children.

That resonated with me as something I feel strongly about also.  It's what we did in my family growing up and it's what we did with our own kids.  (Well, we didn't do the eating-after-the-late-practice thing.)  No TV, music, being on the phone, taking your plate into another room.  It was "let's sit at the table and talk while we eat."  And you have to be excused before you can leave.

Most of my best memories of good conversation in my parent's home were and still are around the table.  It's a time we are focused on each other.

For some strange reason when I think of having a good talk with someone I often think of eating at a table. Not surprising, I suppose!

You've heard the old saying "the family that prays together stays together."  But I wonder if we could also say, "the family that eats together stays together."  ( I know, depends on what actually goes on at the table.  I've heard some things that would not only make me not want to eat at the table, but maybe not eat period!) 

Is there any significance to the fact that a picture presented in Scripture of what it will be like to be in eternity with God is that of a table?  A banquet table.  Is that about the food and how delicious it will be?  Or is it about relationship, of being in intimate connection with the Lamb and each other?

A thought/question occurs to me.  If every time we ate, it was with others around a table where there is healthy banter, interest in each other, some honest vulnerable sharing, the warmth of feeling a part of a good thing, would we be as likely to misuse food?  I wonder.

One good thing about eating together versus sitting in a circle sharing is that the food gives something in common to talk about and something to do with our hands, which can help us relax and be more open to talking about things on our hearts.

If you have more thoughts/observations about this thing of eating together, please share them.  We need all the encouragement we can get to foster healthy communication and time together!

Oh, and don't forget to thank the meal preparer for the meal when you are finished!

"Jesus, some of your most significant conversations happened at the table, such as the Last Supper.  Help me to take full advantage of this natural way of connecting with others and fostering satisfying relationship. Thanks for the heavenly picture of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb that I can anticipate sharing in.  Amen"

I work with individuals, couples, and families to identify the ways of life and death in their lives and help uncover the motivation to choose that which leads to life, whether it be through counseling or spiritual direction.  - Sheldon Swartz, MA/LMFT