sharing a meal

Acts 2:46b "Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread together in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts"

When we moved to Buffalo in 1997 Jason and I did not know very many people. We were in a new town at a new church and really felt alone. We decided to invite people over for dinner at our house, trying to do it on a monthly basis. Yes, we both worked! Yes, we both were busy! But we wanted to build friendships with people and the best way we knew how to do that was to have people over for dinner.

We still continue this practice today. I estimate since we moved here in August of 2006 we have had over more than 30 families or individuals. This has been great for us. We have gotten to know people much quicker than just seeing them on Sundays. We have had great discussions around the table. We have communed as a community of believers.

Our small group is eating together twice a month now. We actually meet every week and I believe our relationships with each other has grown immensely. I believe one of the reasons is we are eating in each others homes with our entire families. The adults get to interact, the kids get to interact and our kids get to see us interacting with other believers in a relaxed setting.

So why don't more people do this? Jason and I asked ourselves that the other night. Why don't people invite each other to dinner anymore? I don't really know. I like having new people over. I think it pushes me spiritually, socially and emotionally. I like having old friends over too. If the early church did it, then so should I.