We sweetened our tea and passed the bowl of grapes and the plate of prosciutto, and my birthday friend's beautiful sister, who had planned every lovely detail, opened her Bible.
"I read that article you linked on facebook," she glanced at me across the table, searching through Psalms for the passage she'd chosen, "and thought I would read a few verses while we're together around the table." I smiled knowingly as she continued, "Sometimes I wish I could raise my children all over again."
"Me, too, Patti - me, too."
With little ones grown, we can't be alone in our longings for a do-over - to have the measure of maturity we possess today, be inspired by the godly wisdom and ways of young women like Ann, and nurture our children one more time. We can't do-over those tender, young years, nor can we waste precious now-time regretting the past, but it's never too late to change what we do today.
"My boys are grown with families of their own, and though Emily is still living at home, she is an independent young adult. When I shared Ann's article with Louis, he agreed that we should bring our Bibles to the supper table, the only meal that on most days we are able to eat together, and read a chapter aloud every day - with whoever is at the table. We've read James, Colossians and now we're in Thessalonians." I continued. "It really isn't too late for any of us to begin doing in our homes today what we wish we had known to do years ago."
Finding the passage, Patti read, and before we left the table, we drank of the Living Water and ate of the true Bread and were satisfied with all things good...
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
The glory of bread is that it satisfies.
~ John Piper - A Godward Life
Photos - the birthday celebrating tea, Patti reading
8 comments:
and I do for you and Ann both - haven't I thought along these same lines. Thank you for showing me it's never too late!
What a lovely idea, Pat, I have to adopt this - thank you so much for always pointing me to the Lord, I thank Him so much for you!
Fantastic idea!
That is a lovely tradition. Our former senior pastor and his wife along with any guests, always read from the Bible, prayed and sang a hymn after the meals.
We have done this all our 25-year married life. However, it did not instantly convert our children. Our younger daughter is in the most wicked rebellion imaginable, in spite of Godly upbringing. If we had to raise our children all over again, we would of course do the same thing. There are no guarantees, however. God is sovereign.
Thank you, Pat. Today is the best day to start!
I love drinking from both Pollywog Creek and Holy Experience - Both are beautiful blessings!
Janet, May I pray for your younger daughter that God would give her rebellion a bitter taste in her mouth? That wise choices will cause her food to taste good? Do not give up on her - God is not finished! Your job is to be faithful to your task, and leave the results up to Him. You sound like a wise Mama!
I am continually grateful for the gifts Ann lavishes on all of us. Finding your blog is one of those. I'm a grandmother too and know those feelings you write about so eloquently. I often lie in bed at night going over all the things I wish I could undo and then do better - so much better. I marvel at young women like Ann who are so mindful, in this moment, of those things which are most important.
I love this idea. It is most certainly what the Father has urged us to do - to forget the past and allow Him to do something new.
Ladies, thank you for your sweet words and visits to Pollywog Creek.
Janet, if I knew how to send you an e-mail, I would write to you personally. I wanted you to know that you and your daughter were in my prayers last night. I hear your heart and agree with you that there is no form or formula that will insure that our children will not rebel and always walk with the Lord, but I'm grateful that He gives us many opportunities to live our walks before them in ways that will plant seeds...and He gifts lovely women like Ann with gracious and beautiful words of inspiration and encouragement for the rest of us. How wonderful that reading the Word at the table has always been a discipline in your home, too. I wish that I could say the same...but we can begin now...even if it is just for my husband and me. God bless you and those you love, dear Janet.
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