Several years ago, I bought my first kitchen table. My parents had given me another when I was in college which served its purpose lovingly for many years. But something about starting a new family with my daughter and this little farm made me long for a new table. A place to create new memories, friendships, and recipes.
I began the search in the old Tobacco Barn here in my hometown. A large tobacco warehouse that has been converted to a multi booth antique mall, it holds many trinkets and treasures and a few junktique items as well.
As I slowly strolled down each aisle and around every corner, my eyes danced across hundreds of pieces of furniture. Nothing seemed to be to my liking or in my limited price range.
And then, in the last booth right by the counter, there it was. An old farm table base that someone upcycled by adding lovely pine slats that were stained a warm honey color. A square instead of a rectangle, it would fit perfectly under the window in my kitchen–large enough to seat an intimate gathering and small enough to fit in the limited space of my kitchen. And, to my surprise, it came in under budget!
I brought the table home and admired her place in our little homestead. I knew that her presence would invite family meals, creative projects, and cooking experiments. What I couldn’t know was her capacity to create sacred space for long conversations, carefree laughter, and warm tears.
Table has become a place for friends to reconnect over lavender chamomile tea. She has set the stage for life decisions related to college and employment. She has been a sanctuary of shared dreams, deep emotion and solemn prayer.
And most importantly, she has welcomed friends and family into the heart of our home and created sacred space for deep personal centeredness on what is meaningful to our lives.
As I sit here this morning and fondly reminisce about all that Table has witnessed in these past 10 years, I think about all the other tables that hold sacred space. Altars in churches, Welcome Tables in communities, and even the simple tables in our homes.
Perhaps Table is more than an object–perhaps Table is a a source of healing and connection, an opportunity to just be–with each other and with our Maker. I wonder what love and grace could be born out of such opportunity–perhaps enough to bring a little light into such a dark world.
