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Around the Table

Some of my best memories are of times shared around the table with family and friends. Something about a table between us seems to bring a comfort and ease that allows us to open up to each other.  To share stories, moments of our days and maybe even revisit the past a little to bring the present to light and hope for the future. 

Growing up, it didn't matter what was going on in each of our lives, when my dad got home from work; we came together every night to the dinner table. I would be out front and my dad would whistle ( meaning it was time to come in for dinner). I would get teased from my friends and they would mock " it's dinner" like I was the baby in the group that had to go in for my feeding. I remember being embarrassed but now I'm so thankful for those consistent times around the table with my family. Those were some sweet moments I believe, whether they knew it or not; our parents used to teach us about life. They were also intentional about using those moments  to find out what was going on in our life. I have great memories of sitting at that table, even though my seat was the back seat, I was stuck against the wall and though I might have complained about it then, I look back now and am so thankful for that table that daily became a safe place. Home.

Jim was also brought up in a family that met nightly for dinner around the table as a family. So, it was very natural for us to incorporate that lifestyle into our own once we got married. Having kids we both strongly agreed that, regardless of what was going on, we would come together as a family each night, as much as possible and have a meal around the table. I remember one night it was McDonalds when the kids were little. Jarrod said "mommy good cook" . To this day, Jim will tease me when we order in, " mommy good cook", funny how certain things stick with us for years. 

We bought a round table when the kids were young and I wish that table could talk. The stories and memories that table held are near and dear to me.  I replaced the seat cushions after too many milk spills that no amount of detergent could get rid of, I repainted it a couple of times. It was that soft oak, so the kid's handwriting was impressed into the surface from hours of homework. I had a hard time getting rid of it but it only sat four and we needed something bigger. 

Times of sitting around the table became something I looked forward to. It really didn't matter the meal so much as the conversations, sometimes those were the difficult conversations we, as a family, had to have. Some were in awkward silence and some were the sweetest of surprises when we laughed until I cried. 

Holidays like Thanksgiving were expected to be the best. So much time and energy goes into the preparing of the meal, the best part for me is when the plates are empty, bellies are full,  and the stories begin. I used to cringe when our kids would look at my dad and say " Papa, tell us a story about mom" my dads face would light up, he'd get that sparkle in his eye, dance his eyebrows and shoot me a look as if to say " payback for all the sleepless nights you caused me over the years" and I'd look at him pleading, " please no." We've have the best times around the table. 



This Thanksgiving, we are in a new home with a new table, with many miles between us and  many years behind us.  Never in a million years did I expect God would bless me as He has. I have so much to be thankful for that I get a lump in my throat when I think of how good God has been and continues to be to me.  And now, another huge blessing this year; all of our kids will be here for Thanksgiving. I sure didn't expect that with their crazy schedules and commitments but I am so thankful! Yes, it's across the country and no, they have never lived here. The rooms are not theirs with their high school memorabilia and familiar surroundings. Even the family dog is different. Oh, but once they get around our table, I pray the comforts of home will fill the room and the time spent around the table will be very precious. And who knows we may even share some great stories with Jacqueline's new boyfriend. 

I pray that no matter what is going on in your life right now, you can look around your table and count your blessings. I  know for some of you, this holiday looks different and might be very painful. I pray you can still count your blessings. Life is precious! So share moments with each other, tell embarrassing stories, laugh until you cry and create some new memories around your table. Happy Thanksgiving! 

-Pressing On


Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 106:1 NIV)

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