A Timely Topic: We Do Family Well
There’s this one spot in our house. It’s beautiful. It represents hours of work and love by our parents, our friends, and even us kids. It’s where we gather to talk, argue, laugh, cry, pray... to love, basically. It's made of wood. It's got these shells decorating it covered by glass so we’ll always be able to remember wherever we got them from. It’s where, as tiny kids, my sisters and I would gather to homeschool, it’s where our parents read to us from all manners of books, the Bible and different devotions we have explored over the years… some absolutely boring and others absolutely life-changing.
It’s where we as children learned to read. It’s where we scratched in pencil marks when we were bored; it’s where, as tiny 3-and-5-year-olds, our parents sat us down and told us we were to have another sister. This place, so full of memories, so full of life, is our dinner table.
Every night, as far back as I can remember, whenever we are all at home, we gather around it at about 6 p.m., serve dinner, and just talk. About what we did that day, about what we didn’t, what we’re stressed about, happy about, sometimes sad about... occasionally we cry, other times we argue. Somedays we can barely eat we’re laughing so hard. At our table, we feel free to state our opinions, no matter how contrary they are; to tell everyone what happened today, no matter how crazy it is. It’s the place where no phones are allowed, except in emergencies, and where distraction is warred against.
Our table is the place we get told about loved ones lost, and new ones gained. About new plans, new ideas, maybe a move next year. And always, no matter where we are, or where God leads us in our lives, we’ll know that standing there, in the middle of Mama and Papa’s home, will be the dinner table. We’ll come back, years from now, when all thought of glory and battle or fame and fortune are long behind us, and we’ll sit and remember how our parents used to say this or that, or how some event happened.
And maybe, just maybe, one day, we’ll take our last breath, and open our eyes, and there, our dinner table will be, waiting for us. Without the tears, but with all the memories, and all the loved ones. Only, this time, there will be six places, instead of just five. Because, there, just right next to us, will be sitting Jesus. As He always was, I hope, even when we yelled or cried and fought. The only difference is, now, we can see Him smile.
Gigi Walton-Nightingale, 16, is the daughter of Greg and Helaine Walton, fieldworkers who serve in Guatemala. She loves reading, watching movies and training in Jiu Jitsu martial arts.
Get Connected & Let’s Grow Together!
We invite you! Here are some amazing resources and events we hope you’ll check out!
To participate or learn about our monthly global prayer for the neglected people around the world, sign-up HERE to receive a monthly video prayer invite. We meet on the last Thursday of each month at 8 am CST (US). We encourage everyone to join in as we pray that Jesus will be worshiped by all peoples of the earth — the least, the last, and the lost!
Lessons from the Least, the Last, and the Lost, All Nations Weekly Devotion by Blake Staton, M.Div.
All Nations Pocket Guide to Church Planting by Dr. Pam Arlund (in many languages)
All Nations Storytelling Resource
Mission’s Edge, a monthly roundtable learning opportunities with ministry and missions leaders! Sign-up for any of these today and participate! Let’s grow together!
Our Founder, Floyd McClung, has 18 books and audio/video teachings that will be an encouragement to you as you press in to all Jesus has for you in your journey! Connect HERE to our founders area to be equipped!
What are you needing? Reply and let us know how we can help you! You can also email us at: comm@allnations.international.
We want to serve you and help you find your seat in the Great Commission. We have volunteer opportunities, too!
Be sure to see some of our recent blogs below to continue learning and growing with us!
Bless you today!
