1 Peter 4:9-11 - Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
What do you remember from your childhood? I recall evening meals around our kitchen table when I was growing up near Chicago. Every meal started with grace, and then we dove into whatever Mom had prepared. We also got into conversation. Most of our chit-chat was of the everyday variety. But you know, that's when God did some of His best work for me and our family. Today, I'm so thankful for those family meal times. I'm grateful because those meals taught me some basic life skills.
For example, during most of my childhood we had one car. That might shock some young people, but families had just one car back then. I remember Mom and Dad talking at supper about what had to be done the next day. They would discuss who would use the car and when. You know what they were doing? They were communicating! Today, marriage and family counselors are making big bucks telling us how it's important to talk to each other. I'm thankful I learned this valuable skill the cheap and easy way: by watching my folks talk over dinner.
This was an important way for Jesus to communicate too, wasn't it? He'd get together at some local's house, sit down, and break bread with His newfound friends—and then He'd share His thoughts. Oh, what conversations those must have been! It's the way God works, isn't it? It's the routine times in our lives—the carpool chatter, the back and forth between parents watching their kids play soccer, the banter at the dinner table—when we can take a moment and share God's love.
So, why not let your kitchen table be a place where you regularly pass the good word from God? What St. Peter wrote to first-century Christians applies to our homes as well. "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). Dinnertime is a superb time to come together. Sometimes it's between passing the meatloaf and scooping the spuds that the day's biggest events are shared. And sometimes that's when the moment is right to mention God's words of forgiveness and the hope we all have in Jesus.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, teach us to see all the moments of our lives, dinnertime included, as a chance to speak about Your love to others. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
From the message, "Please, Pass the Good Word," by Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, Speaker Emeritus for The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. How's the talk around your dinner table? Beyond the rattle of plates and silverware, do you share what's going on in your life?
2. Would you have enjoyed dining with Jesus? What might that have been like?
3. What can you do to make your family's dinnertime more enriching?
Today's Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 23 Psalms 54 Psalms 63 Luke 22:47-71
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