On most days we’re a “Grace saying” family – some of the “weird ones” who takes a few moments before meals to acknowledge the blessings of God.
We do this over pizza…
We do this when company comes over…
And…
{hold on to your seats}
…we do this in restaurants.
(I told you we were some of the weird ones.)
Most of the time we hold hands and ask for a rather traditional blessing.
But lately we’ve gotten into the habit of singing our Grace (not usually in restaurants though)
Most often we sing the doxology, which you probably hear in most churches after the offering.
If you don’t know it here’s a clip…
Actually singing Grace is a really neat change of pace, mostly because the Little Man LOVES it.
He holds our hands.
He looks back and forth between his Dad and me.
And he just GLOWS through the whole thing.
(he even waits until the AMEN before he starts eating!)
Now, our Little Man doesn’t speak much yet — he’s taking his time on that one.
But every once in a while, if you listen real close, you might just hear our little boy singing.
And I might be hallucinating, but I think his songs sound an awful lot like the doxology.
And best of all, I think he’s doing it just for the JOY of it!

And now it’s YOUR turn!
Is there anything you want to share, that gave you JOY this week? The best moments, the treasured memory, the answered prayer… Share them with everybody!
If you have a blog, add a link to the “MckLinky” application below… (please be sure to link to the post, not to your home page).
If you don’t have a blog, share your story in the comment section – I would love to read them!
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
I love that! I've been wanting to sing at the table for a long time. I was NOT raised with singing at the table…in fact, only birthdays have I ever seen this done until recently.
Too precious!!!
Blessings to you,
lana
Growing up we said grace before meals in either English or Gaelic. If i visit my parents we still do. We even had it said before the meal at my wedding in Gaelic if memory serves…
That is so sweet! I have a singing little boy, too. He learned to sing grace to the tune of Superman at his preschool (a little strange, I know).
That is wonderful! We do our own version of grace but it is more like an Italian toast with a bunch of things we are thankful for thrown in. We don't do it every meal though….we should try to be better about that.
that is the sweetest thing I've heard!
My family also prays before a meal at a restaurant and we've actually had people come up to us and acknowledge how rare, but refreshing, it is to see. What a great example you are setting for your little one.
He'll be singing that prayer in no time!
I love it! My joy this week came last night. The whole family showed up for pizza night. We made our own pizzas and just hung out. It was wonderful!!!
That is AWESOME. I love it. I think it's a HUGE lesson to teach you kids and I will tell you nothing stops me quicker than seeing a family stop to pray in a restaurant. Even if you don't sound like a church choir.
Beautiful rendition.
Love this! My family sang our prayers before meals sometimes when we were growing up. Yes, and we are the weird ones too that always thank the Lord before we eat…even at restaurants (and we hold hands too!)
Have a great Thursday!
We're weird, too! Hooray for weird-ness. Occasionally, we sing the doxology before dinner, but mostly right before bed. I love hearing the chorus of little voices singing those words. Thanks for sharing!
We're weird, too. Don't apologize for that! It gives kids the wrong message when you bless food at home but not when you're out!
Well then we are just as "weird" as you! We do the same things, restaurant and all. LOL! I sometimes found myself praising Him in the bank waiting for my turn. Yes! But it is ok. My next door neighbor actually came up to me and asked how could I smile every time he sees me, that I still have three kids at home and homeschool? I told him it is God, definitely not me. I was surprised he didn't hear my screaming at times when I was frustrated. I like to smile because it doesn't cost me anything but it may make someone's day. Joy is not happiness. I desire to be joyful! My friends nick named me joyful-Jenny. I love it! Thank you Sharon, for the post and the invite. I will be reading your blog soon (after schooling)
I love this post! Thank-you!
Our baby girl did better at learning to pray before meals if we sang the prayer, too. Reading your post brings back memories…
Treasure each moment! They slip away SO quickly!
We are the grace saying kind also
The boys love the AAAAAAMen too. I forgot about this this week and I am getting ready for girl's night out so there is not time to post but that is definitely what I am thankful for: a night out with friends.
Thanks Sharon for doing this carnival! I loved your post! I think people have really forgotten the true meaning behind family and prayer. Don't be stranger! Come back to 'My Frugal Lifestyle' soon!
I really like your post.
People forget that family and prayers are important.
Awww…That's really great. That's a tradition that should really be passed on to the next generation.
My joy this week is the usual family chats. I love talking to my mom, dad, brother, and sister. They really make me laugh.
What a wonderful tradition! Our middle kiddo likes to say grace before we eat, and I just love his enthusiasm for it
I'm really enjoying your blog!!!
Thanks for the cold weather advice. I have to say, I always thought those Uggs seemed sillly- of course I live in a warm climate and couldn't undestand girls wearing them with shorts. I was hot just watching them… but now….. I may change my toon.
I love mealtime prayers at our house too (as long as the girls aren't bickering about HOW to hold hands). My little Thomas has developed a sweet routine. After the prayer, he holds on to our hands, lifts them to his sweet little face, and kisses our hands before letting go and digging in to his meal