Let’s Get Together and Eat

How often have I said those words? How often have those words been said to me? I couldn’t even begin to guess how many times in my life as a minister’s wife I have extended that offer, or had that offer extended to me.

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear, “Let’s get together and eat?” If you’re like most people you begin to think of all of the restaurants that are in your town or city. We all have favorite places that we love to eat, and we frequent them often.

But, what happened to the time when an invitation to get together and eat meant preparing a meal in your home and enjoying the company in a quiet, inviting atmosphere? 

The home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus comes to my mind. I’m sure when Jesus came to their home, a meal was prepared. After all, wasn’t Martha “distracted with much serving?” (Luke 10:40) Don’t you know that Jesus and those with Him enjoyed a time to have a meal and just sit, relax, and talk?

And that’s the point, isn’t it? We are all so busy and caught up in our own lives that we can’t even take the time to make a meal for our own family – much less prepare one for company! 

May I suggest a return to the practice of the hospitality of inviting people into your home for a simple meal and some comfortable conversation? Here are a few people who need to be invited into your home:

• Those who can’t afford to invite you into their home. They seldom get invited to someone’s home to eat because they can’t return the favor. 
• That young couple you may have noticed at church who seem to be struggling in their marriage.
• The elders and their wives who spend so much time and effort in watching for your souls.
• Those widows and widowers who spend many hours at home eating alone.
• Those teens who love to have a devo in someone’s home instead of in the fellowship building.
• Those who have demanding work schedules and don’t get home-cooked meals often.

This list could go on and on, but I think you get my point!

Why not come up with a simple menu, straighten up the house, and invite someone over to eat a meal at your dining room table? Then you can move to the “soft chairs” and have some conversation. They will never forget your hospitality. You will never regret the blessing you will receive from this simple act of hospitality.

Let’s change the meaning of “let’s get together to eat.”

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