When I think about love, I think about a table. At my Grandma Frances’ house in Oklahoma there was a red vinyl table that set next to a French window. Right outside the window was my grandmother’s flower and tomato garden, complete with a bird feeder. She would drink her coffee in the mornings and watch the birds. My first cup of coffee was around that table. We told stories, ate chocolate pie (nobody makes chocolate pie like my grandmother did), and talked about God. Looking back, I probably caught more about what it means to follow Jesus around her table then any classroom I’ve ever had the privilege to be in.
So much of our lives are built around tables. When you walk into our house, there are three rooms joined together. Two of them are living rooms, and in between them is our dining room. In the center of our house is a table. My family eats there, we talk about what we are grateful for there, we welcome guests, and during the pandemic, we shared the Lord’s Supper at that table.
Coming back from the pandemic I believe will involve lots of connection around tables. Restaurants are welcoming back customers and opening up more tables. A couple weeks ago the VIPS (A senior group in the church I pastor) sat around tables and reconnected with one another. More than a few times I heard the phrase, “I’ve missed this.” There was laughter shared and a couple of tears as people were emotional gathering back together.
There is a reason Jesus chose a table to host the symbols of His death and resurrection. Tables give the space for healings to take place. In our country there is lots of discussion about polarization and cancel culture. If we want to heal that, it begins with a table. If we want to see racial reconciliation occur, a table will provide the space for that to happen.
When I think about love, I think about a table. Think about the tables in your life. Think about who is around those tables. Pray for them. Then pray about who you could add to your table to help heal this broken world coming back from a pandemic.
Love this Ray!!
Beautiful