A test: It’s been a long day at work. You meet your deadlines or finish your current project with no acknowledgement from your boss. Arriving at home, in your vehicle that is paid for but has very high mileage, you walk in the door and speak the words “hey I’m home”. Your family replies with “hey’s”and “I’m glad”. You’re hungry but supper isn’t on yet. You look at your garden growing out the window as you pass your refrigerator and freezer that are full of higher priced groceries. This gives you pause and you ask yourself, how are things going in my life right now?
This scenario is one that plays itself out in my life currently. It may not be one that you have experienced but my challenge is for you, the reader, to reflect on your own scenario and ask yourself the same question. What emotions are revealed? Bored or excited, happy or sad, disappointed or delighted, anxious or contented could be the prevailing thoughts. If I could do it all over again, would I?
This could lead to deep philosophical and theological discussions at the dinner table. My hope is that this article causes you, the reader, to take a little time from your busy daily schedule for reflection on your current situation. How many times in the past week has your subconscious triggered thoughts and questions about your life and you pick up the phone or open the laptop or computer to see how others are doing because you don’t want to think about your own situation? So let’s go to the dinner table. If you choose the philosophical discussion a comparative analysis may ensue. We live in a land of plenty with nice homes, food security, protections in place for our safety, and more freedoms than others have in other countries. Would we trade places with people in China, Mexico, Egypt or any other country you can name? Why are there more people immigrating to the U.S.A. than other countries? Conversation starters for sure. Of course you could take the “glass half empty” approach where the conversation centers around the failings of government, parents, and/ or education. The vices of society and breakdown of family values are sure to become topics of interest as you take a more pessimistic view of things.
Theological conversations may not be the natural progression of family discussion. Here are a few talking points: Jesus on anxiety - ““Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭25‬-‭34‬ ‭ESV‬‬
Paul on contentment - “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬
Jesus on joy - “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬. My hope is that you will look into what Jesus had spoken to his disciples to find out where this joy can be found.
The average life span in the U.S. is 79 years. That can be broken down into 41,522,400 minutes, why not take a few of those to reflect on what’s really important in life.