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Family ties grow stronger around the dinner table

"Celebrate with your family."

- Deuteronomy 26:11 (LB)

Each year as we flip the calendar page to November, memories of our favorite Thanksgiving dinners start to resurrect. We envision tables crowded with pumpkin pies, turkey with dressing, and mouthwatering side dishes. Thoughts of friends, family and times of communion warm our hearts.

Family is one of the most important aspects of our life. We shouldn't consider our lives abundant without it. Family meal times give us moments to create wonderful memories that remain alive within our hearts all the days of our lives.

Families gathering around the table for a meal is a tradition that appears to have become lost in the modern trends of busy lifestyles. Nowadays, each person grabs their tray to sit in front of the TV screen, or dashes off to eat in the solitude of their room while they sit in front of the computer.

Experts say this type of activity has taken the place of the family gathering together for meals, and is the main reason for the breakdown in communication in families.

One of God's greatest gifts to us is the unity of the family. Deep in our hearts we have the desire to be connected with our loved ones. When families enjoy mealtime conversations and the fellowship of passing potatoes, a special bond forms between the members that only spending time together creates.

Thanksgiving is one of the times that family connections appear to be more important than ever. Let's allow the spirit of thanksgiving to live in our hearts each day of the year. We need the mindset that our loved ones are our greatest asset - one not to be neglected.

Forming a new dining habit and embracing the tradition of the family meal keeps us from the risk of losing out on ties that bring memorable times that remain in our hearts for years to come.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. Contact Annettee at Annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413. She is available to speak at events and Bible studies.

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