Table Talk- Where Life Happens

Last Tuesday night we gathered around a table at Cody's parents home to celebrate Charis turning 3. Surrounded by her family including 7 cousins (8 including David, he is a cousin technically) and siblings. 

That's not all that happened around that table. The table itself has no special meaning, Kathy and Roger haven't had more than 2 years. It's the experience- sitting down, eating, looking each other in the eye, talking, laughing, healing, dreaming, knowing, being part of something bigger than yourself, something called family.

We practice manners.

We develop new relationships.

We celebrate.

We learn about each other.

The world becomes smaller around a table.

Is it the table? Is it magical?

Not necessarily. It's the experience.

The Table Experience.

Devi Titus wrote a book about it. I heard her speak 2 weeks ago and will forever remember the truths she presented.

You can click here for the transcript of the presentation I heard.

It all started with God himself. He's all about relationship. He created us with the need to eat. He didn't have to but he did. And he made such a variety of food. Can I get an amen?

Then when he started to reveal himself and design a place of meeting with man (more specifically with the Israelites in the desert) he designed the first table. And we still use a close version of it today, 4000 years later.

The Table Exodus 25

 ²³ "Make a table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high. ^[e] 24Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it. ²⁵ Also make around it a rim a handbreadth ^[f] wide and put a gold molding on the rim. ²⁶ Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners, where the four legs are. ²⁷ The rings are to be close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. ²⁸ Make the poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold and carry the table with them. ²⁹ And make its plates and dishes of pure gold, as well as its pitchers and bowls for the pouring out of offerings. ³⁰ Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times.


The Bible is full of more stories too...


David invites Mephibosheth to his table for the rest of his life. 
Jesus finds Peter after he's denied him- over a prepared meal. 
The last supper before Jesus' death.
The marriage supper when we are united with Jesus again.




So real is this table experience that secular sources are pushing it. 


Websites dedicated to this 


http://www.mealsmatter.org/EatingForHealth/Topics/Healthy-Living-Articles/Family-Meals.aspx

http://family.samhsa.gov/get/mealtime.aspx



http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1200760,00.html


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070901073612.htm


Please don't believe the enemy's lies that you don't have time. MAKE TIME, quit doing so much. It's that important. Titus says those of you living under one roof should share a meal at least 5 times a week together in the home. If you can't do dinner do breakfast. Preparation is the key. Stop eating in front of the tv, in the car and standing up. You can prepare to eat take out. You can prepare to eat sandwiches or frozen food, but make it around a table and do it today! 


I love what Titus said, "The feminist movement told us we'd be happy in the workplace while Martha Stewart became the richest female American telling us home to create a home." Hum. Our hearts are in the home, ladies. We all do what we have to do...but don't neglect the home for lies.