A Peck of Gold

Feed Me, Seymour

I know, I said I was taking the week off, but I just can't do it entirely. I have been so busy lately that I've put the blog on the back burner too much. I guess it's just that time of the year, things start getting hectic. But I miss it! I hate skipping days, and I keep forgetting things I want to blog about! Anyway, I'm going to make this a quick one, since my back is still not happy.

We got a new dining room table, well, sort of new. It was Uncle Jack's, who purchased it for his "assisted living/ retirement home". He ended up changing his mind about living there, and just stored the table in a back room. When he passed away a few weeks ago, it came to me.

It's a simple table, blonde wood, patterned like a butcher block. Rectangular and seats four. But, when I put it in the kitchen, WOW. It brightened up the whole room! It made it much more inviting, and fun to sit around after meals and chat. I love this table. I'm giddy with happiness over the cheerful vibe it gives off. To me, the best visiting is done around the kitchen table. Having a meal with someone is such an open gesture of fellowship and friendship. As the cook- it is so gratifying to see your guest enjoy the food. In some cultures (like the Bedouin tribes in the Middle East ) it is considered good manners to burp after the meal to show your appreciation of the food. I can usually tell without the burping though, so don't feel pressured to perform the alphabet melody at my table. But, the point is, feeding people is very satisfying to me.

I think we need to do it more, especially as Christians. There's a vulnerability and honesty in sharing a meal that brings us closer together. Hospitality is a powerful tool to bind us, and to reach other people, too. I remember visiting a church one Sunday, and being invited to eat with a family after the service. We were total strangers, yet that afternoon, we felt so welcome and wanted. Now that's how we want visitors to feel. Welcome. Wanted. It didn't matter that the meal was sort of last minute and there were no candles on the table. These people cared enough to want to get to know us better and to extend friendship and love. It went far beyond the "So nice to have you" comment on the way out of the church door.

I hope that someday I make someone feel that way. I will admit, we've only had people we know over to eat, but I would like to change that. If the opportunity arises, I will try to do what they did. Meanwhile, I'll keep the doors open for the friends and family that pass through, and hope that they leave with full bellies and full hearts.

Well, that's my thought for tonight. I'm off to lalaland and hopefully this back thing will be better tommorow.

Posted by Shannon at November 6, 2003 12:15 AM | TrackBack