There's nothing more powerful than the family meal table. Sitting around the table together (and often including friends or lonely people) is never a waste of time. It offers opportunities for encounters with one another that you would not normally have. And best of all, encounters with God.
Jesus confessed of Himself, "The Son of man is come eating and drinking" (Luke 7:34). In fact, Robert Karris writes, "In Luke's gospel Jesus is either going to a meal, at a meal, or coming from a meal." Jesus loved to gather at the meal table. He still wants to come to your table and join you at your meal, too. Invite Him to come in. Acknowledge His presence with you. Make time at the end of the meal to open the Bible to listen to His words and spend time in prayer together.
These times will be the greatest strengthening times of your family life. You can't let them go.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell