Family Matters

At the Kitchen Table

by Jeanne Hagar

How many things have been solved at the kitchen table? In my experience, “many”. Women have seen their families migrate to the kitchen when they had comfortable seating in other rooms. There’s just something about the kitchen. We as women can make our kitchens a haven for our families as well as for our guests. Do you make your kitchen open to all and make all feel at home? If not, why? Are we protective about who comes into our kitchens or are we sensitive about what people do in our kitchens? Can we teach God’s word in our kitchens? You would be surprised just how often the opportunities might arise if we are open to see them.

Recently, my two teenagers wanted to have some friends over. Of course, I said yes. I always say yes. Why, you say, because they are at home. That’s where I want them. I have always tried to teach my children responsibility. So when they asked to have friends over I replied, “If you use the kitchen, make sure you clean it up”. They wanted to get in the kitchen and cook. I think it was omelets that were on the menu that day. After numerous eggs cracked and a mountain of dirty dishes they finally produced something edible. You never heard such fun in a kitchen: Laughing, joking, and messing up everything. Even during the clean up they had fun together. What a memory I would have lost if I had said “no”.

I opened my kitchen to what ever they wanted to do or fix but there were conditions. God does the same… He has put conditions to receiving His blessings of life. He has opened the door but we are responsible for knocking on that door (Matthew 7:7-8). Once we knock, we are responsible for what we do to receive what is there. God is willing and waiting for us to obey His words. (2 Peter 3:9b) What are you teaching your children while in your kitchen? I could have cleaned it up for them but I was trying to teach hospitality and responsibility to my children; something of which we all of need to be reminded. Use your kitchen for more than cooking. Let others, including your own family see your kitchen as a tool for God’s work.

Let go ladies, it won’t hurt…Open your kitchen up and let the “Light” in… (John 8:12)

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