Hi ,
I pray your Thanksgiving was a blessing.
Ours was overflowing with fun, soccer games, nerf shooting and lots of food. I was surprised my grandkids loved my pancakes! Usually breakfast is the most difficult for them to enjoy my cooking. Yet, the pancakes were a hit - even as leftovers.
I served them after having all the grandkids spend the night for a sleepover. Such fun!
Yet, that is not the topic I wanted to share with you. For Friday night, sabbath, I had the family sit down to dinner only this time, everyone at the big table. Even sitting on laps. And on cue, they ask: "What are we doing?", to which some reply, "I don't know, Grandma is up to something again."
And yes, I was - up to something.
I had discussed with Steve the opportune time to celebrate sabbath with everyone at the table was on Friday night. He agreed.
So after everyone sat. I, being the woman of the house, lit the candles.
Already the kids are in the moment.
Then Steve opened with sharing what is the Sabbath and why it can still be important to us
today.
Next, I shared we would pray for everyone at the table: husbands, wives, and kids.
Steve then read from Proverbs 31 about
the woman of valor. (Do you women ever cringe when you hear all that women can do? I agree with buying property and giving the maids things to do, but the other verses add up to a lot of blessings in disguise.)
Then Steve asked every husband to pray for his wife as Steve prayed for me and all the wives at the
table. It was so sweet!
Next, I shared verses from Corinthians and Ephesians about manliness. Followed by praying for Steve and the husbands at the table. I made it through, but the tears were starting to trickle.
We followed this by praying for the kids. Our table was circled by 7 grandkids and they are each so uniquely gifted. And they deserve praying grandparents.
When I think back to rearing my kids; if my husband and I
had taken time each Friday evening, which is homemade pizza night, to pray out loud for our kids. Of course, I prayed for them in my quiet time and when they were in trouble, when they had struggles, when they got their driver's license or were getting married.
Yet, what would our families look like if our kids
heard us pray out loud a blessing at the dinner table on a weekly basis? Not just a "bless our kids Lord" But a blessing upon them like the blessing on Jacob.
We then passed around the hot out-of-the-oven challah bread. Without slicing it, we each tore off a piece to enjoy. Followed by grape juice. A
reminder that Christ's birth is just the beginning of the story.
Then it was time to eat - the family favorite - lasagna. I knew they would be willing to experience the Sabbath with us, knowing lasagna would follow.
