Feb
27
2013
Kitchen Tables
Posted in Discipleship, Poetry 4 Comments
My kitchen table has stories to tell.
Conversations to share.
The laughing, crying, games that were played.
All the love that has happened there.
My kitchen table saw many a meal.
The benches around it all filled.
Birthdays, holidays, no special reason,
The clean-ups, the milk that was spilled.
My kitchen table serves hot cups of tea,
So that friends can sit down and talk.
Hearts that are shared, as we lay them out there,
Then discussed as we go for a walk.
My kitchen table has seen artwork galore,
Many play-doh creations begun.
Coloring, painting, and crafts being made.
Homework…until it gets done.
My kitchen table has served us so well.
It welcomes and beckons and calls.
It is the hub of our house, the place that we meet.
Our story within these four walls.
My kitchen table has sat many guests,
Who stop by and visit us here.
It has marks, nicks, and dings from so many things.
It has wiped away many a tear.
My kitchen table has heard many hearts.
It has mended a few of them, too.
It has heard many prayers from the ones who sit there.
When you’re not sure of what you should do.
My kitchen table has had God’s Word upon it.
Being read, studied, discussed.
It is holy ground when our family’s around.
It is really the story of us.
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I had a friend and her son over for tea.
He was able to play with all of my children’s toys.
Those are my favorite kinds of mornings.
Opening up a time for hearts to speak.
In this day of rushing around, it is nice to sit and be still with another.
It is wonderful to be heard.
It is lovely to be listened to.
It is a privilege to use my kitchen table in such a special way.
A cup of tea…a kitchen table…a listening heart.
Sweet fellowship.
It is amazing what comes out when a heart is allowed to speak.
Not gossip…or grumbling.
Just sharing…one to another.
Vital to our well being.
Vital to our Christian walk.
Fellowship was vital to the early church.
One-anothering…a must.
They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)
I am sure a kitchen table or two could tell of the sweet fellowship of the early church.
What began there is still growing and flourishing today.
Flourishing around new kitchen tables in various places.
The method is the same…only the location has changed.
Listening hearts.
Fellowship.
Kitchen tables being used for His Glory.
For where two or three come together in My name, there I am with them.
(Matthew 18:20)
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Friendship is the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words but pouring all right out just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful friendly hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of comfort, blow the rest away.
Dinah Maria (Mulock) Craik (1826-1887)
Nice post… I remember kitchen tables at home, at friend’s homes and even at a bed and breakfast in Austria where formerly strangers sat til the wee hours just talking. We departed friends!
Al,
Isn’t it wonderful to remember the simple things?
Lingering at the kitchen table…one of life’s simple joys!
Gina
I’m so thankful for your kitchen table, cups of tea, kids toys and listening heart and ears. I’d sit at your table every day if I could.
Thank you for being my friend and mentor. I love you so much.
Marcie,
Thank you…what a blessing!
I love you, too…and truly enjoy our time together.
Gina