5 (fool-proof!) steps to a peaceful dinner - FAMILY PLUS Children's

If you are like my wife and me, you probably feel like your home is in a constant state of chaos. From 7am-7pm, someone is needing something all the time. This is pretty much par for the course when you have young children living in your home.  One of our most chaotic times is meal-time and the preparation that it requires.  

So, I am going to share with you 5 steps that we have found as "fool-proof" when it comes to a peaceful dinner environment:

1)  Make sure mom gets a shower, gets dressed and puts on make-up, if desired.

2)  Make sure dad is home from work ON TIME!

3)  Load everyone in the car.

4)  Drop all persons under the age of 18 at grandparents' house.  (a babysitter will also do)

5)  Go to a nice restaurant, sit down together, and turn off your phones.

See?  Fool-proof. Works every time.

Now, for the other 350 days of the year, we'll have to get more creative.  Finding peace in the chaos is something that we find so difficult to do in our house.  We often feel like matching noise with noise is the answer.  They're yelling?  Let's yell louder!  They're grumpy?  We can be grumpier.  Eventually everyone is pouting around like a two year old and still, no one is eating their broccoli.

The Bible tells us "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).  Or we sing worship songs that talk about this elusive place "in the secret" or "in the quiet." Where is that place anyway?

So here's what my wife and I have decided this week. We are going to have to create that place.  Even if it means standing in the middle of the kitchen, closing our eyes and pretending that no one is around us.  For just a few seconds we will pause.  To be reminded that He is in control of this chaos.  That He is the giver of all the dirty, noisy, grumpy blessings circling around.  And to remember that God chose US for this family.  That we are the best our children could ever have.  And hopefully when we open our eyes, peace will be matched with peace and love will be matched with love.  And if not, it's okay. We'll try again tomorrow.