As mothers our lives revolve a lot around the kitchen - planning and getting meals on the table and making sure our children eat healthy and tasty meals.

I have a notebook in which I note down topics to write for Tirzah. In it I note down feedback, Bible verses and quotes as I find them through the week. This week I had 2 Mums, friends of mine, telling me how stressful it was to get food on the table and get their children to eat without complaining. So this is all about those times at the sink, home, kitchen counter and at the dining table.

Reya is a young architect whose daughter has just started school. School uniforms, lunch boxes and picking up and dropping Samara had to now fit into Reya’s already busy schedule. 

Don’t you love that the Bible records so many verses where Jesus got together with friends to ‘eat’. Preparing and having a meal with friends seemed to be important for Jesus. He was human just like us- he knew how it felt to be hungry, tired and thirsty, meet with friends, share a laugh!

Matthew 15:36 NIV

Then Jesus took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples, and they in turn to the people.

At the beginning of his ministry Jesus attended a wedding with his friends and his mother, during his ministry we see him at Mary and Martha’s house, Simon the leper’s house and at Zacchaeus’s house, enjoying fellowship and food. After his resurrection he feasted on the beach with his close friends.

When our sons Michael and Meshak were about 4 and 8, I caught them complaining about food. This was very rare- they loved their spinach and ate all vegetables. Most rice-based dishes, flat breads, cakes, sweets and curries went down well. But that day was different. 

I told them that many children don’t get regular meals and may even go without food for days. I hugged them tight as their faces saddened and asked them if they would help me make and distribute meals for families who had it hard. Their little hearts were super excited! 

The following day, after school we made and packed some boxes of spinach rice and boiled egg. I had 2 eager helpers with me all along. We piled into the car and parked near the Shenoy Nagar Park, bags of food parcels in hand. I had noticed homeless people on the pavement earlier, so we parked there. Mike and Meshu took out the boxes and distributed them. The people on the pavement, men, women and children were very happy and thanked us profusely. We got into our cars and watched as they quickly opened their food packs and ate with joy! This experience has taught my children to be grateful for me, it was also a big lesson for me! When at the University, in New Zealand, Mike and his friends went on to make and distribute sandwiches for the homeless. 

Mala was a teacher with 3 adult children at home. Each of them liked different foods and it was a nightmare planning meals at home. Mala felt it was easier to order meals and sit back. But this adversely affected their health. They battled with weight gain, cholesterol and rising sugar levels.

How can we as mothers equip our children with love and grace?

-Pray as you plan and prepare meals. 

Philippians 4:6 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

-Train children to join you in the process. Sorting and bagging vegetables, shelling peas, laying the table and washing and putting away dishes can be done by even young ones.

Proverbs 22:6 NIV

Train a child in a way he should go and when he is old, he will not turn from it.

- Teach your children to bake/cook 3 or 4 easy recipes. Mike and Meshu learnt an easy vegetable sandwich from Ramya. One of the first recipes they learnt to bake was my mother’s easy chocolate cake. When children join the process, they know that cooking takes time and energy. They value the food and the people who help to get the food on the table. They learn that food does not get to the table by magic.

Philippians 4:12b and 13a NIV

I have learnt the secret of being content…..I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

-Once a week, as you plan the meals for the week, include them. Teenagers can be in charge for a weeknight dinner. They can set the table, prepare and serve the food with adult supervision. For birthdays and special occasions give them a recipe notebook with your own handwritten family favorites. I sometimes include a recipe in birthday cards! Volunteer at a church camp, soup kitchen or homeless shelter- do this with your children.

Philippians 2:4 NIV

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too.

-When it is time for children to leave home, get married or go off to study they will be all equipped and ready. You can rest assured that the new home they build will carry on the traditions you started off in them.