Today as I brought the troops home for lunch, I started getting a lot of input on what everyone would like. I had my kids plus a few extras so, needless to say, I had quite a variety of advice, and for the most part it was not positive. I started trying to accommodate everyone, but then fell back on my standard line. My mealtime motto is: dinner options, take it or leave it.
I told everyone to have a seat. I put out the food, hushed the crowd and informed them that everyone was not liking lunch. They may not be happy with the food, but neither was anyone else. The food was out, there were going to be no changes in the menu, and we were just going to have to get happy about it. I prayed over the food, that we would be thankful for the things we liked as well as the things we didn't like, and that God would help us to be cheerful.
God always amazes me as he answers my prayers. The children all ate something. Some more than others, but no one went hungry. Most of them found something that they liked, and even told me so. They were a bit shocked in the beginning, but they got into it and found that cold chicken wasn't so bad, sandwiches could be worked around, and even the salads had something they liked.
We have been talking a lot about contentment this summer. This was just one more lesson for us. God gives us sunny days as well as rainy. There is good in them both, even if we prefer one to the other. The key is to be thankful for all of it.
Life in a small town with a large family. Trying to put God on display.
2 comments:
Go Signe! You put your foot down and it worked. Everybody eat something and that's most important. Ha, imagine trying to please over 10 children, you'll go nuts.
Thanks for giving my kids a "teachable moment" and showing them that there is another mommy who thinks like I do. Gratitude is a tough lesson to learn, but so necessary.
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