Sunday Supper: The Importance of Eating Together as a Family

When I had originally planned to write this post I had a completely different vision of what it was going to be.

Lately, I’ve been a bit discouraged by the time 5:30pm rolls around. My husband was laid off from his job of 12 years this past February. He’s since been blessed with a new career that he’s thoroughly enjoying; however, the work hours are much different than what we were used to.

Over the past month, he’s only been able to join us at the dinner table a handful of times. Its taken some adjustment to getting used to and a lot of prayer for strength, as eating as a family is very important to me.

So often, we speak of nourishing food and why we should eat it, but honestly, good food is only as good as the people you eat it with. Eating together as a family is a time of fellowship. It’s a time to re-connect, open up with one another, and share about our day to day lives.

Biblically, in the old testament, eating together was always a treasured moment in communion with God to rejoice in reconciliation gained through sacrifices. And the greatest meal of all, when Jesus ate the Last Supper with his disciples, was a celebration in good food and friends clearly knowing what prophecy lay ahead.

Spending time as a family around the dinner table should be a treasured moment. One that will grow us closer, form beautiful memories, and is also a way to savor the precious time we have with family and friends here on Earth.

Eating Together as a Family Made Simple

Since my hubby has been gone most evenings during the week, we’ve been especially intentional in making sure we eat together as a family during the weekends.  The frustrating thing is that weekends can be busy and our Sunday afternoons are currently filled with our boys’ soccer games.

So, instead of “freaking out,” like my boys would say, I’ve been making simple meals in the crockpot.

This past Sunday I made a simple roast. It’s easy enough to throw together before church on Sunday and have it done by the time we get back from our soccer games.

Although simple, its made beautiful and elegant by adding fresh vegetables from my garden filled with vibrant colors.

For a boost of flavor, I added fresh herbs of oregano and thyme from my backyard.

Once home, I threw together a simple tomato and cucumber salad tossed in a red wine vinaigrette and served up some “prison bread with butter,” as my husband calls it, since I haven’t had time to bake bread in a few weeks.

You know what, it doesn’t matter that the bread wasn’t homemade, that my boys are wearing pajamas and soccer uniforms, or that our dinner table doesn’t have beautiful linens and napkins.

What matters is this.

Spending time in fellowship with my wild and crazy family.  (Little Mama is hiding behind the flowers 😉

I’m savoring every meal together that I can.  Please keep us in prayer as we continue to pray that God will lighten up my husband’s workload, so he can make it home for supper more often.

At the same time I’ll pray that each of you can savor a bit of time with your families as well.

A Simple Roast in the Crockpot

Ingredients:

• 1 3lb butt roast (or other cut)
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 medium sized potatoes, roughly chopped
• 4-5 carrots, cut on the diagonal
• 8-10 small onion bulbs (sub 2 red onions, quartered)
• 2 tbls extra virgin olive oil
• 2tbls fresh oregano, roughly chopped
• 1 tbls fresh thyme
• 2 teaspoons large granule salt (kosher salt)

Method:

1. Add the roast and a quarter cup water to a 6-7 quart crockpot.
2. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes, carrots, onions, olive oil, oregano, thyme, and salt.
3. Place the vegetables around the roast in the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

What are your favorite Sunday supper meal ideas?

God Bless You,
Diana, My Humble Kitchen