APPRECIATE YO MAMA!:

Last one in this series....

Growing up, dinnertime was always anticipated in our household. It was the tastiest meal of the day! As a mother, it is a meal that I enjoy providing for my family. There is something special about everyone gathered together at the table to eat and share together. I would never have considered disrespecting my mother and the effort she put into providing a delicious, warm meal for me. As a mother, it would be insulting to prepare meals for my family only to have them disregard those meals and the effort that was put into them. In our household, appreciation is shown in different ways. My family is generous to say thank you for what is served, complimenting my efforts (even when it doesn’t turn out so good- I’d mention the recently grilled corn, but that’s another story), and by helping to set and clear the table and clean the kitchen afterwards. My husband is generous to provide the finances I need to put these meals on the table, and he enjoys the result!

As a Church, “eating at the table” should be accompanied by equal respect. Have we shown our appreciation for what has been offered? Have we assisted in some way for what we are about to share in? Have we provided what was necessary to put the “meal” together? Or are we simply consumers or food critics? Do we eat and run? Do we eat and pick apart the meal?

Sometimes, it is when visitors come to eat that we are shown the most appreciation. I am always blessed when visitors in a service give an offering. They don’t have to do that, and there’s a certain graciousness to it-sort of like bringing a hostess gift when visiting someone else’s house. It shows a generosity of spirit and it’s always a thoughtful surprise. As members of the church family however, we move beyond graciousness and become intentional participants in family life. So I might ask, “What table are you sitting down to eat at?”