A Sense of Belonging
Grace is … our spiritual daily bread. ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach
Anyone remember learning table manners? I sure do! Rules like “elbows off the table”, “no slurping soup” and the “outside-in rule” for using utensils all seemed so silly to a child. Yet, when I became an adult I began to appreciate “table rules” and even more, I came to understand how important it was to eat together as a family. The feelings of belonging that came with gathering together were undisputable. Sure, there were times when civil behavior at the table wasn’t easy after having an argument with a sibling. Whatever the issue, it was usually diminished by saying this verse:
Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing,
Thank you God for everything.
(thats when I wanted to mumble and add in , “including my annoying brothers or sister’s name!”)
Amen
Grace at work, we began to tolerate each other again and see that whatever we were fighting about was completely ridiculous. Some times understanding and forgiveness came slowly, other times a good chuckle about a family member messing up the verses of the prayer broke the tension. Thankfully I was born into a family with a great sense of humor, so fury never lasts very long.
There’s a seat at the table for anyone who wants to visit this website which focuses on connection and relationships. The door is always open! Sit down and enjoy a respite!
And remember – it’s been said: “There is not a thing that is more positive than bread.” ~ Fyodor Dostoevsky
This blog is brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. Her books include Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, Lessons of Heart and Soul and Sew the Heart.