What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word table? Do you think of a place where people gather to talk and eat food? Or do you think of a place to display art or dishes or work on projects?
Maybe the word table doesn’t hold much meaning for you or has memories you don’t want to think about. I’m sure we all would have various thoughts to share if we were to get together and talk about it.
When we homeschooled, the table was a place for the kids to work on their lessons. We also used it to make art whether coloring or drawing or painting, etc.
My grandchildren still enjoy drawing and cutting and pasting on our table, as you can see in the picture below from a few years ago.
I have memories of our extended family eating together at the home of my parents at holiday times. We talked about various issues, sometimes sitting around long after the meal was finished.
And when our girls were all living at home, we had lots of discussions around the table during and after the meal. Nowadays we mostly don’t all eat together as schedules are so different, but it is a treat when we are able to do that. We seldom are able to get the whole family together as there are so many of us now.
Welcome to the Table
But what I think of most when I hear the word table is of welcome.
I love to welcome people around our table whether they be friends or family or even people we don’t know very well. Often it’s a perfect way to get to know people better and make lasting friendships.
I recall one family we met in a church we began attending about a year after moving into our log home. We had seven kids (though some were already adults at the time). They had six with another one on the way. You may think there was a lot of chaos with so many together in one house, but we made some lasting friendships that night.
It gives me joy to have grandchildren around and make special breakfasts together. We often make pancakes with chocolate chips, cherries, whipped cream and real maple syrup. I love to cook meals that I know my family will like, though I don’t do it as often as I used to.
Also, the word table reminded me of a song called Come To The Table, written by Michael Card. I hope you enjoy this version sung by Michael Card and John Michael Talbot on their album, “Brother to Brother.”
Jesus welcomes us to His table to find forgiveness, joy and peace. I pray that if you have not found this peace, you will consider His invitation to come. Come find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-30 (CSB)
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday
Visiting as your FMF neighbor. Isn’t it amazing how something as ordinary as a table can evoke so many extraordinary and precious? Welcome to the table!
Yes, it is interesting how simple things can open a whole window of memories, isn’t it? Thanks for visiting and welcome to my blogspace. Blessings to you!
You remind me so much of my Mum. She invited a family of 6 kids to dinner (on top of her own 6) and that became a lasting friendship for her too. This friend, an immigrant from Germany to NZ who lost her first husband to cancer, drove 3 hours a day to be at my Mum’s bedside ever other day, when she lay dying.
My Mum couldn’t even speak anymore. But she came to just hold my Mum’s hand, pray for her and love her. And she took me aside one day, placed her hand on my shoulder and asked: “how are you, really?”. I cried, as she held me.
Later, when I emailed this friend after Mum died, she told me that she was so drawn to the peace she felt in our home when Mum was dying. She was going through a really hard time, not just in losing Mum, and as her heart was breaking God was balming her heart in our midst. I had felt that same peace and it’s what helped me to seek and return to God.
Thank you for prompting this memory. Mum’s hospitality that day surely had far-reaching consequences.
Memories … We have them forever. Glad to prompt the memories. I’m sure you have many.
Oh I am sorry. I thought I was replying to Gayl directly! But thank you for replying.
Wow, Anna, thanks so much for sharing those memories. What a blessing your mom was to so many! I wish I had been able to meet her. And what a beautiful memory of your mom’s friend. She was so faithful and it sounds like there was a mutual giving and receiving. What a blessing of friendship! Much love to you, dear Anna, with many blessings! xoxo
Your feelings about table mirror mine! I enjoyed your thoughts!
Thank you, Cindy! I love how table can remind us of so many things. Blessings to you!
Its amazing to read your writings Gayl…Stay Blessed!
Thank you, dear Athira. I need to get back to reading your posts, soon. Blessings to you! xo
Dear Gayl,
I love the way that your life is a beautiful picture of that open invitation that Jesus gives to us! His table is always open to us. Even as I am praying for one so dear today, your words bring such comfort to me. Blessings, love, and hugs dear sister. xoxo
Bettie, thank you so much for your precious words to me. Yes, His table is always open. I’m so glad you found comfort here, too. Blessings, love and hugs right back to you, dear sister! xoxo
You sound like an awesome Grandma! Loved this post, friend!
Aw, thank you, dear Tara! Love and blessings to you! xo
“Welcome to the table..” how rich and rare these words are, in an age of suspicion and privacy like the one we’re at. Happy sigh to think Christ cuts thru all those human limits and calls us in. Thankyou for a beautiful reminder dear FMF neighbour 🌻
You are so right and yes a happy sigh that Christ cuts through it all. We are loved so much. Thank you for your encouraging words. Blessings to you!
I won’t say you’re not welcome,
but we’d better get this straight;
it’s best to eat what you have brung,
’cause the food here is not great.
I can make a steak tartare
but it’s always too well done,
but at least I have an open bar
stocked with the cheapest rum
that makes no grand pretension
to being what it ain’t;
if your stomach calls dissention,
you can use it to strip paint.
But last for best I always save;
the salad’s in the microwave.
Andrew, you are still so prolific with your writing! What an inspiration! And I’m sure the food’s not that bad at your place. LOL Blessings to you!