One of the things that sticks out most in my mind is that when I was a Cub Scout, and my parents were training, we always ate lunch in the dining hall. Just before we always said grace, which was printed on the wall. This was very odd to me at first, because this particular mealtime prayer was something very different to me - not the praying part, but the prayer itself. To this day, forty-four years later, I still remember it. It is called the Wilderness or Philmont Grace, and it goes...
For food, for raiment (meaning clothing),
For life, for opportunities
For friends and this fellowship,
We thank Thee, O Lord. Amen
A few months ago I attended a conference of the Extension Professionals Association of Florida. As the FANREP (FL Assn. of Natural Resource Agents) president I was slated to emcee a luncheon that hosted about 350 guests. I was told by my colleague who was in a supervisory role, to make everyone feel welcome, but not to say a blessing for the food. I knew why, because after all, we're a government organization, 'church and state", and that rationale. I can understand the concept, but at the time I didn't feel right. Midway through the lunch, I interjected a comment of apology to the audience for not saying grace, because after all we have a lot to be thankful for, and in lean budget and economic times, we need all the divine help we can get. After the luncheon five or six people told me I handled it well.
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Photo Credit: Ministry To The Military Itnl. |