{my table}

My dining room table means so much to me. You probably think that’s so weird. But for me that table represents so many things.

It’s a tall table. A complete square with 6 high standing chairs. I saw it in Sam’s when I was 18 years old about to move to College Station. When I saw it, I knew it would be perfect. You see, I’ve always loved cooking and having people over. Cooking is my way of serving.

Over the past few years, the table has always been there.

It has served many meals for friends. Sour cream chicken enchiladas and guac might top the list on most times served. With pesto pasta and spinach salads coming in second. Sweet tea glasses and coffee mugs have sat more times then people at the table, probably.

Friends have come. Ate. Left full. Left happy.

Conversations have been had about school, family, life and boys. Laughs have come and stayed for hours with friends and endless refills of sweet tea.

Tears have been shed over many heartbreaks at this table. It has provided a solid foundation for the many gallons of Blue Bell that have slowly disappeared as hearts are slowly going from broken to healed. (I believe strongly that Blue Bell fills in those cracks in our heart after bad relationships.)

There are water rings left by roommates who never used placemats.

Endless hours of studying for midterms and finals have gathered the roommates together where we spent more time on Pinterest then reading textbooks.

The table has served as a perfect serving line for so many parties and get togethers. My favorite being where at least a hundred people filled our home to celebrate friends getting their Aggie Ring. The table held food to feed everyone who came, ring themed of course: apple rings, pineapple rings, onion rings, ring pops, and of course a huge cake. Julia Child said a party without cake is just a meeting.

Many prayers were said, whether blessing the food on it or the people sitting at it. Prayers where said quietly at this table. Asking for direction in future plans, good grades on tests, roommates living under the same roof, and for grace. Lots of grace.

My table has gone from Longview to College Station where it sat for four years. From College Station back to Longview then to Marshall. To Marshall in a residence hall.

The table now seats in a room that is way to small for a table this size. But it stands there still- like it did in College Station.

It has served for a meeting space. For more tears. For more prayers. For more studying. And for more laughs. Lots of more laughs.

Now, girls from campus come to this table. To sit and study. To eat and talk. My favorite is to laugh and talk with girls that come to this table.

It really is a table to each person who sits at it. For me, it is God’s gift and His kingdom that He’s given me to minister to. To each person who sits, eats, studies, cries, laughs, talks at this table- to love them, to pray for them, to serve them.

Serving food at this table is my favorite. Serving the people who sit at this table is my favorite.

My table and those who gather around it bless me.