Tables…
“We are short not only of tables that welcome strangers but even of strangers that welcome friends. In a society that prizes youthfulness, the elderly are often isolated from the affection and care of their own families. In many busy families, children find no after-school welcome home, and spouses find little time to host one another over supper. And when we become estranged - separated by grievances large or small, or simply crowded out of one another’s lives - we all too often become “strangers” even to those we once loved. Can we move beyond strangeness and estrangement to learn the skills of welcoming one another and to claim the joy of homecoming?”
~Ana Maria Pineda (in Practicing Our Faith)
Saturday, three good friends came over and shared dinner with Lydia and I. The purpose of the evening was to begin discussing what it would mean to move toward a deeper life of faith in Christ by living in community with one another. We did not answer this question - we never expected to. But part of me suspects that simple sharing food and wine and fellowship with one another is part of the answer. A toast to rebirth.
Andrew, Hope you are doing well. At this point I really just wanted to try your “Comments” feature to see how it worked. By the way, I googled Andrew Tatum and your WordPress address was the first thing that popped up - cool giles
It’s amazing what a simple meal can do for your sense of connectedness, family or friends. Sometimes I wonder if community is as simple as showing up — as simple as blocking out time just the way you did — to let community develop. Maybe sometimes it doesn’t, and our attempts fail. But the more we show up and open our lives to others, the greater chance there is the community we need will find its way in to our sofas, table and chairs, week after week and year after year. It’s cool that you’re putting forth the effort to be intentional about this. I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.