My oldest son just walked in the door. He left an hour ago in a storm
and in the pouring rain on the motorcycle to a job interview. He
was quite wet even though he wore a somewhat waterproof jumpsuit. (It probably
was waterproof, but not in 40 miles per hour rain.) His grin said that
all was well. After hard years of intensive computer science university
classes, he is nearing the end of his formal studies and seeking employment in
his field of study. Wet, cold, happy and home. Shortly afterwards, we
gathered at the table to enjoy warm chicken, vegetable soup and bread and
shared the days events. The
nurturing qualities of warm food and warm conversation were felt in a sheltered
place set apart from the world. I'm so
grateful to be able to provide a place for my husband and children to come home
for a season before they create their own sacred and holy refuge. From
their schools, their studies, their professions, each comes home. Home to the table. C.S. Lewis said: “The home is the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one
purpose, and that is to support the ultimate career.”
Come to the table. Come share in the
words of Grace Noll Crowell, “my glowing
fire, my loaf of bread,” and “my roof’s safe shelter overhead.” Be comforted. I love it as family members walk in the door
and gather round the table in a meaningful ritual of the many years we have
been together. We come in faithful repetition, but always varying in
conversation, excitement and mood. Now,
I truly wish I always had nourishing meals.
I don’t. I especially seek for
enlightening and encouraging conversation at these meals. It doesn’t always happen. But it has happened enough for me to know
that there is something there to try again and again to create, something of
the holy and sacred, a refuge from the storm.
The table of the Lord is referred to in verse 22 of Ezekiel 41. It is described in conjunction with the house
of the Lord, the temple. On it is shewbread,
a symbol of the presence of the Lord. As
we bless each other at our kitchen tables with our offerings of nourishing food,
could it be in the pattern of the Lord that gives us our daily bread, both
spiritually and physically? Could words
of encouragement be in the pattern of the Lord who sends the fire of his Holy Spirit
to teach us and reassure us? Could our
safe shelter overhead be in the pattern of the Lord who invites us to his safe
shelter; a fortress, a haven of strength as we trust in Him? The patterns and symbols are all around us to
instruct us daily. I want my table, my
home, to be a haven of strength and a refuge from the storm.
