Dinner With My King

I had just gotten a new book this summer on Home Economics and decided to start it yesterday with the girls. Specifically, I wanted to get to the part on hospitality and manners. By 3:00 I decided I would try it again some other time, when it was the RIGHT time. So in the moments I needed something to fill in the gaps before dinner, the doorbell rang and it was the UPS guy bringing a little something at just the right moment. The Lord knew I was needing some help! To our delight, it was a box full of three red and black polka- dotted Spanish dancer dresses with the fans that you can pop open, along with the giant clips to wear in the hair. You can't begin to imagine the joy! So, the preparations began...

The princesess pulled out the fine china, the delicate long stemmed glasses, made name tags, cut fruit and veggies, found little teeny olive forks, made a plate of cheese and crackers, practiced our greetings for the King who was to arrive soon.
(Hello Sire, Hello Majesty.. Could I please take your hat, your coat, your shoes???, could I serve you a drink.. even in little British accents. Funny!)Lizzie, our pet lizard was named the "king's pet" and we even put on make-up. I was named Queen and asked to wear a fancy dress. So, Queen dolled up in formal attire, a sight rare to be seen.

The King arrived seconds after little one fell and hit her face on the corner of the table, first and middle were arguing, So Queen suggested to King that he re- appear while we pull ourselves together. Off he went, outside in the rain to ring the door bell.

He was escorted to his Royal chair and served the finest ( left over fried chicken, steamed green beans from a bag, white rice with fruit and veggies.. simple, but yum.. King didn't care!)We practiced passing bowls and holding it for the other person, using a napkin (often neglected), having pretty posture, etc.. which all lasted just a few minutes, maybe seconds. And then the sweetest little nudge from the Lord. "I'm here, festing with you. Just enjoy this." It wasn't about the WAY we were feasting, it was simply that we WERE feasting. Together. With Our One and Only King. Eating and laughing. Enjoying life in the moment.

Home Economics came through in just the right time. During dinner with My King.