Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 64, 14 April 1944, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

(Supplied by the Whakat«in fc Ministers' Association).

GRACE FOR THIS DAY

I don't quite know how it started. Maybe because we listen to the news broadcasts just before dinner. But any way about a month ago, something began to happen in our house. Some unseen presence tiptoed in and after we had listened to the tragedy that is upon the world, it took us each by the hand and led us more quietly into our dining room. The first time we felt Jit we had no words. Then one night one of us said, with embarrassment:' "Funny thing, but just, now II felt we were all going to bow our heads and say grace." Then someone else made a brave admission. "I have been giving thanks. Every time I see our table and us around it, and food upon it. Not out loud. Just to myself. Let's do it together." So that night we did; Ave said grace in silence. Later we learned words to say aloud; but when guests were at our table, we forgot it entirely. It seemed such an old-fash-ioned thing to do in this moJU-ftn world. Any way, it was really our own business. But somehow it made the night when we were alone for dinner more warm and close and precious. A few nights ago a neighbour invited us to dinner. It was quite different from the dinners we used to have there. For one thing, Ave all brought our children, for there's no one to leave them with noAv that the factories have called our maids. And there are gaps in almost every family; Ave carried letters from far away places to read to one another. When AA r e sat down at the table, there. Avas a moment's pause. I thought guiltily it must be my family's fault. But nobody alone was responsible; there was a still expectancy in each of us. It Avas awkward,, for Ave are not used to such aAvareness. We have not found Avords. "Guess Ave might as Avell say grace," one of the men muttered. "Seems appropriate these days." We bowed our heads, and all of us prayed in our OAvn Avay, childish and Avise, grown-up and simple. Probably the littlest said, "U fcfnejl, duck and potatoes,. Dear God, 1 wish I could send my share to the children in Europe. Please take care of them. Amen." Another might have said, "Thank you, God, for this. family and this town. Please take seeds from this happiness of ours, and scatter them across th« world." The one Avho ahvays sees things largely Avas not thinking about the food at all. I'm sure he Avas thanking God for something bigger. For

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE

vast tablelands of wheat, orchards cradled in valleys, neatly combed miles of beans and carrots, and the tall troops of corn. I'm sure he wa,s seeing not just us at that table but the Avliole country, merciful in bounty. I think this hasn't happened just to our family. Thousands must be sharing these involuntary moments of gratitude. A 'Thank You' for what we have, and a promise about what we're going to do with it. (Condensed from "Good Housekeping.")

WHY GRACE BEFORE MEALS

(Extracts from an article by Professor W. R. Forrester.) I-t is one of the weaknesses of our times that, people are shy of attempting difficult spiritual tasks because of the risk of perversion or failure, or because of the fear of ridicule. We are in many things much too sensitive to the opinions of our neighbours .... Will those who neglect the observance of Grace before meals, consider the psychological importance, especially in a family where there are several children? The little ones arrive hot-foot and hungry, and eager to "fall to." But appetite will not rule one's life. If appetite is allowed to rule in the dining room, it will insist on ruling everywhere. A disorderly family meal means a bad tempered home. . . If children are allowed to arrive when the spirit moves them, and help themselves to food within their reach, disorder must prevail both in the soul, and in the home. But here the simple observance of grace assumes a crucial importance. All must gather and await the blessing. Appetite must acknowledge other and higher claims. In youth, as Aristotle says, the beginning is the most important thing. Those who when young learn restraint in eating will more easily learn all the other lessons of discipline in daily life. So many parents who work their fingers to the bone that their children may be well fed, well clad, well schooled, and in every way well equipped for the business of life, fight shy of the one thing needful and send out their children spiritually naked and ill-nourished into this inhospitable world, lurking the most elementary essentials of a successful spiritual life. Among the important things we should be specially careful to bequeath as a spiritual heritage is this simple habit of consecrating all food and all life, to its maker. Our Father —give us this day our daily bread. .