Last night was an evening that is reminiscent of Clarkson life for decades.
Adult children gathered, grands all around, running, playing. Everyone came to the table with different needs, a variety of weariness from jobs, children, life! All came ready to feast, fill their bodies with deliciousness, to soothe their souls with love, friendship, belonging. Even in Oxford, we gather in a cloud of memories, sweet familiar fellowship.. Immediately we all feel happy, at ease.
“I am so hungry. Please can we eat soon.” They each snuck spoonfuls of my French casserole. Herbed brown rice seasoned with my secrets, slowly baked chicken breast awash with olive oil, wine, herbs d’province, extra thyme, a dollop of sour cream. This was nested between green beans & sea-salt, oil with avocados. Candlelight & music set the stage for a theological conversation that brought deep joy to my mama heart.
We have been meeting this way for thousands of meals, delighting in one another. We gather in the reality of Christ’s unconditional love shared together. We belong to one another, warts and all. We listen to conversations. Hearing the love of Christ defended this evening between each bite, talking of God’s manifest love in the midst of a dark world, peaking into souls of each one as they shared their heartfelt convictions made a very tiring, exhausting day worthwhile.
Now we can say, “They were listening. It mattered. They were transformed by the life-giving messages they heard repeated that they now own.”
Clay and I have often said that we think our children’s faith was cultivated more through meals shared, over conversations, stories related at table than any other factor. Our Lifegiving Table was a sacred place. Who doesn’t want something delicious, rich to fill their tummies, to give dimension to friendship, fellowship?
Such a work of life takes a long time, lots of love, patience. Seeing the Holy Spirit light a fire in each one is worth the work, time, planing, cooking, even cleaning dishes it has cost us.
My heart was warmed, my emotions kindled. These are my beloved people, we belong together no matter where we live and work in this wide world.
The Lifegiving Table book.
