Today’s “Pastor’s Briefing” email (from Focus on the Family) included the following. Some is encouraging (not as bad as I feared), but overall it is pretty sad…

[my comments are inserted within the brackets]

Families Still Eating Together

According to a new poll commissioned by The Associated Press, 60% of those who live with families said they sat down with family for dinner at least five nights in the past week. The research also revealed:

• 25% of families have the television turned on during dinner [why put such an obstacle in the way of conversation?]
• 50% of families feel pestered by phone calls during this time together [only half? Love your family more…]
• E-mailing or texting on a cell phone is constantly taking place during dinner for 5% of families [I suspect its actually higher]
…
The poll was conducted November 5-9 by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media, and was based on phone interviews with 1,006 adults. [MercuryNews.com]

The Bible reminds us that some gatherings are made worse because of the behavior of some present (1st Cor. 11:17, But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.)

Let us strive to do better!

Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together”

pdb