There’s a beautiful type of community that is born when people break bread together.
I received a text on Saturday afternoon from our new neighbors. It said, “We’re throwing some burgers on the grill later, Jeff and Tina are coming. Ya’ll are welcome to join us.” Just like that; a dinner party was born.
It was very informal. We all brought a little something to share. There were kids and dogs running around. We ate on paper plates as we shared stories about ourselves and got to know each other better. It was fabulous.
What is it about sharing a meal that invites us to share a part of ourselves? Think about it. Many first dates are over dinner. Many blind dates are over dinner. When we introduce people we care about to other people we care about, it’s often over dinner. When we catch up with old friends, we like to do it over a meal. We like to celebrate with dinner too. Anniversaries and birthdays often are commemorated with an evening that includes dinner.
We all have to eat, but there’s something special about people gathering around a table and eating together that allows for a certain type of growth. Research has shown that families who eat dinner together have a tendency to be stronger. The kids score better academically and are less likely to suffer from depression and obesity. They also tend to have a better vocabulary. In fact, studies have shown that kids can build a better vocabulary from the family meal than from reading books. I knew it!
Isn’t it interesting that our parents and grandparents didn’t need any research to tell them the importance of a family meal? Food and family were considered to be blessings. Sitting down together to appreciate both was non-negotiable and we said “Grace,” before anybody took a bite. It was just how we lived.
Holiday celebrations and family reunions centered around food too and I’ll bet you if I asked you your favorite dish from the Christmases of your childhood, you would have an immediate answer. The same goes for family reunions. Everyone has a favorite dish that a relative made. My Aunt Doris used to make a ten-layer chocolate cake that was unbelievable. (It may not have been ten layers, but it was close!)
The Bible gives quite a few examples of Jesus sharing meals with friends. He too, seemed to enjoy a good meal with good friends. Of course, the Last Supper was perhaps the most important meal ever recorded.
We have become very busy as a society. We often eat sub-par food on the go. We skip family meals and we rarely get together with friends and neighbors to share a meal and if we do, we often go out to dinner. But, I think there’s something very special about eating together in someone’s home. There’s an intimacy and community that just isn’t present in a restaurant.
I think maybe we should make an effort to do more informal get togethers and focus less on our less that perfectly clean houses and more on the community around us. I’m so glad my neighbor texted me. We will have to return the favor soon.
What do you think about family dinners and informal get togethers? I’d love to hear from you.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂