Sharing a meal

What does a good meal consist of?

Per nutritional value; a little from each food group. And 8 glasses of water to wash it down.

In my book, a good meal is so much more. Laughter and stories fill the air of my kitchen. As the warm food hits the solid table. Children laughing and listening to tales of "When..". The dog is under our feet, sniffing and saying his own silent prayers, in hope that a child will be extra clumsy tonight. A look into my husbands eyes letting him know that we have succeeded together as a couple. Smiles on everyones face, and laughter that made others stop eating for a moment. As for the meal itself; well--God provides. Some nights it will be slow cooked steak in a cast iron pan. Other nights noodles and sauce. And still others, us adults might go hungry so our children may feel a bit more full. But even in those nights of unfulfilled tummy rumbles, the laughter does not stop. "The dog did WHAT?" or "How did you get the chicken out of the shed?!!!"

One of my favorite things about our meals is they do not change with guest. We do not become more refined and well mannered. Mind you, my children may not put their elbows on the table, or burp or any other rude thing. Guest or no guest, if you want to eat at my table you will show manners. But at my table, the dog may beg, ---plead---, for your fat from your steak. The children may watch in you wonder; big eyed and happy. And I will gaze right past you into my husbands eyes and smile.

When you welcomed to my home, it is not to sit and have a civilized political conversation and to debate. No, in my home, you are family. And together, we will laugh, and learn and teach. More than likely, I will throw you an apron, and ask you to help me with dishes, or if you came as a guest of my husband, I will treat with the same respects. So please, if you ever make it into my kitchen and share a meal with me and my family, come with a smile on your face and arms open for a hug and a dish towel.

Everyday Blessings

Today, I awoke feeling blessed. How so you may ask; "Well..." I may reply-

My children were snug in bed. My husband and I were entangled in arms and limbs. Our cats were spread about the house, purring in contentment, and our dog was snuggle tight in his dog house. The whole world seemed quiet and peaceful. And like any home; as soon as the stretching and yawning began, soon did the laughter and conversations. The sun awoke quietly and the sound of the world began to spring to life. I thanked God for the extra 10 minutes this morning. Once the day starts, its hard to stop, but this morning was a reminder for myself that life-----is beautiful.

Love is Long-Suffering

"Love is Long-Suffering"- 1 Cor.13:4

Long suffering means to be "slow to anger". How easy this is to apply to a serious situation, when the world is falling down around you. But when dealing with everyday tasks, persons, or responsibilities and glorify this Scripture--what an accomplishment.

I view this scripture as, not only, a reminder from God, to love our children and be good to our husbands, but also to accomplish this scripture in full. A reminder that God believes in us, and likes to see us succeed.

So, let us succeed in all scriptures we read. Let us try to live our fullest for God, and do our best for our children. They deserve our best. Not our second best, or our side effort, but our best. Because they are blessings. And God intrust us with this blessing. So, tomarrow, after my cup of home-made latte', I will remind myself, to do all things in God's glory, and treat my children- Like the little blessings they are.

"So it goes with the man that lays up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:21

I guess it depends on who you are, to understand the value of your treasure. Some people will go great lengths to climb that ladder of success. For a little girl, a treasure may be someone else's' lost earring. For a little boy, a fire truck, now emerging from the dirt after a rainy season.

For me, my treasure is my home. My home, my heart and my spirituality. But each so uniquely on their own level. My home is a treasure, and I polish it daily. I watch it glimmer in the sunlight and I hold it close to my heart. My heart is my treasure because I hold everyone I love in it. My children, my husband, my friends and my laughter. My spirituality is a very fine treasure for me, I did not always have this treasure; so with it, I hold it close to my heart and and wear it proudly for the world to see.

It a makes me wonder how people can put so much time and effort into......money.

Money does is not partial, it is not racist, or rude. But money is lonely for attention, and the more attention you give it, the more it wants.

This is my thought for the day. I will tune in soon and write about my love for....

Life.

-Mia May