There is an hour in my day that I protect fiercely.

I don’t allow the ring of phones or the intrusion of the Internet. I ignore the door and hold off the undeniable force that tries to threaten this time. I fight for the hour a day when my babies and spouse circle around the table.

I fight for dinner.

It’s not about the food that is sometimes good, sometimes not. It’s not about me and an audience. Dinner is about the conversation, the laughter, the being together. Some days I feel like I’m against Hell itself, warring to interrupt this precious time.

Dinner is loud. It’s not organized or perfect. It’s getting up and down, filling up, knocking over. Dinner is a pause in our busy day. Dinner is our connection.

As my kids get older, I notice there’s a stronger pull away from this family time. There may be play dates vying at the door, sport practices with their demands, meetings at work and school, but I fight them all. Even though I occasionally lose the battle and dinner is a mismatched, half-hazard attempt with a traveling husband or a dash out the door to a meeting, I am rebellious against the things that try and steal away this treasured hour.

Did you know that research has proven that families that eat dinner together:

• have kids who are less likely to use drugs
• are noted as happier families
• have kids who have better grades
• enjoy stronger marriages
• kids adjust better in life in general
• produce healthier kids with better eating habits

And when teenagers were polled about the importance of regular family meals, an overwhelming majority craved family meal time together more often!

So. Throw out the excuses! (You don’t like to cook, there are practices and busy schedules, etc) Change it. Make dinner a priority. Don’t let the world, and hobbies demand how you raise your family. Be creative to get that one hour together.

Because really, we’re talking about a lot more than dinner.

Since I was in high school, then a youth pastor’s wife, now a mom of school-aged kids, I’ve gotten up early on the third Wednesday in September and held hands around the flag pole and prayed. It’s not a strange, cultish ritual, it’s See You at the Pole. And it’s awesome. I love hearing nervous, young voices pray in front of their school. I love seeing teachers take a stand and join us. I love that we live in a country that allows us this freedom.

And for my own comic relief:

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I’m talking about God-sized dreams that are a size too big with Holley today. I’d love for you to dream big with me. (Plus, there’s a giveaway!)

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Speaking of giveaways, here are the winners from The Mercy House launch last week:

• Africa-shaped custom cookies made by Bake at 350: Congrats to Stacy of 29LincolnAvenue
• Hand made necklaces from The Mercy Shop: Jenn of Jar Full of Rocks, reader Ashley Hall, Brandi of Autumn Fawn, Amy’s Finer Things, and Agent 99 ! Congratulations everyone! Can you please email me to confirm?

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Shop Mercy. New donated items are added every day to benefit The Mercy House.