Come Gather at Our Table
 
     When I was a child, nothing gave me greater pleasure than listening to my mom and dad talk as we sat around our dinner table. I loved to hear their interesting stories, their thoughts and feelings, their laughter and joy. Feasting on every word, I would sit for hours as they filled my little soul with the rich cream of life.
     It is still the highlight of each day when we gather together around our table, as we join hands and hearts, to give thanks to our Lord, to sup one with another, to look into each other’s eyes while we share each other’s experiences and bare our souls. Lingering there, well after all is eaten, we continue to nourish our souls knowing full well that it is truly the most important sustenance that continually draws us closer into a never-ending circle of love. It is around this table that we learn to develop authentic, intimate relationships that will not only transcend the miles in later years, but will also set a pattern for all future relationships. In essence, it is the gathering place where we learn and practice the art of friendship.
     When just babes, we begin learning the most basic and foremost lesson—that of listening. At first, we can do nothing but listen, which is good, so by the time we find our way to express our own thoughts, we’ve had plenty of time listening to endless conversations—where those we love have shared interesting discoveries, intimate thoughts, frequent reminiscences, laughter and joy—and we begin to understand the blessings of sharing one with another. We learn to reach beyond ourselves and dip deep into the well of another’s soul. In this depth of our knowledge of the other’s soul, we learn the basis for rich and meaningful relationships.
     From watching and listening to our parents, and with practice, we learn to concentrate, with genuine interest and concern, listening with eyes and heart as well as ears, and to respond with questions and appropriate comments of understanding and encouragement. Out of all this sharing naturally flows our own thoughts, and in such a safe sanctuary, we in turn learn to share honestly from the depth of our own souls.
     To truly know the pleasures, needs, and desires of others and to give back of ourselves is the fullness of life. Come, gather around your table and experience that fullness of life and impart to your children an inheritance that will richly bless them all the rest of their lives.

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