Category Archives: Table Conversations

Table Conversations

LOOKING BACK

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Today I was reminded of how we look back into our rear view mirrors on our vehicles to see if any vehicles are coming upon us or going around us, and while there is a purpose for these mirrors it made me ponder how often we should be looking back in the rear view mirror of our life.

When I look back in the mirror of my life, I am reminded of many joys and blessings, but I am also reminded of the hardships. While looking at the photo I posted with this article I see the beauty of a sunset reflected in my side mirror, but I also realize the sunset did not come without a full day’s work of providing light and warmth, even on the cloudy days.

One of my favorite texts from the Holy Scriptures comes from the Gospel of John. He states, “In him [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5, NIV). But later on in the Gospel of John, we read these words: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed” (John 3:19-20, NIV).

The joys and blessings we experience are very much like the day when the sun shines bright, but the hardships and pain we experience because of sin in our lives or evil done against us is like the darkness. It seems like we cannot have the one without the other, yet the promises of God are like the sunset – the reminder that even though night falls upon us, the glory of the “Son” shines forever in our hearts. No matter how dark it gets, if you close your eyes and set your thoughts on Him, you can always see the “son” setting upon our lives.

And for those of you who enjoy the beauty of a sunrise – the promise of another day to live life and live it abundantly, I rejoice with you, but must admit I see very few of them because I am far from being a morning person. Yet, I rejoice in knowing that with each new day God’s mercy never runs out, His compassion is for eternity, and He is faithful to administer these things to us, along with His love, even when we find ourselves in the darkness of life.

Table Conversations

WHAT INSPIRED “THE TABLE?”

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I have a table in my home that is quite possibly 100-years-old.  My grandmother owned it before my mother and it was passed down to me nearly thirty years ago.  In fact, I think my great-grandmother owned it before my grandmother so it’s been an important part of our family for several generations.  This solid oak table folds down to a 40” square spaciously seating four, however you can seat nearly thirty people around it when you add all the leaves.

Christmas is what I remember most about the table.  Growing up, we anticipated the arrival of aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas, and other guests.  A lot of work went into setting the table.  White linens were pulled out of drawers for covering.  Never would one tablecloth do the trick so you had to get linens that were similar and layer them.  Handmade centerpieces and candles were added.  The fine china and stemware were taken out of their protective display cabinets and gently placed at each setting.  The silver came out which had been polished days before, and cloth napkins were beautifully folded and added as a finishing touch.  It was a masterpiece!

Anything appearing out of place was gently nudged as we awaited the arrival of family, and first conversations often focused upon the beauty of the table.  Once everyone was present and the food was ready, dad would carry out the honor of assigning seats.  You did not sit at the table until dad had invited you to be seated at the place he had chosen for you.  The Christmas table was a heartwarming place that had an impact on us even as young children.  We looked forward to each year as it was always the center of where we would fellowship with one another before getting into the gift exchanges and visiting.  

Now don’t think it was all so sentimental and serious.  There were some spectacular food tossing moments between my siblings and I and some of their offspring.  Grandmothers would gasp as ham pieces flying down the length of the table cozied up to a mound of mashed potatoes and gravy.  Food tossing became a work of art and was never to exceed the rim of the plate at any time.  Trust me when I proclaim tossing fresh baked rolls across the room happened in homes long before it became popular at Lambert’s Café!

The table was the one aspect of Christmas that brought us together to celebrate.  A lot of things would vie for our attention throughout the year, but the Christmas table always called us home.  We don’t celebrate as an extended family around the table any more.  After my dad passed away, life changed our family dynamics.  My brothers were married with children of their own so the first Christmas without dad was celebrated in individual homes.  My mom and oldest brother had a quiet Christmas Eve dinner at a lovely little lodge in Green Mountain Falls.  We just couldn’t bring ourselves to gather around the table without Dad.  Since then, new traditions have come about but never has it been like those spent around the Christmas table.

Table Conversations

SNOWBALLS FROM HEAVEN

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It’s not often I get into a snowball fight and this was one I knew I was going to lose from the start, but I didn’t care. I was having the time of my life in a magical moment with God.

Living life at the foothills of the majestic Pikes Peak offers many picturesque moments and this morning was no exception. I awoke to a bountiful spring snow that left everything blanketed in layers of white. Snows arriving in the spring come quickly and depart just as fast, leaving behind feet rather than inches to measure. As the storm passes, the sun comes out with all of its brightness and the earth awakens to its warmth. It doesn’t take long before the snow becomes slush and streams of water roll everywhere.

Having to be at the office, I braved the streets and maneuvered my way through the morning traffic. I took a side road – one that I traveled often because it was rather enchanting. The trees on each side of the street were older and tall, and the branches hung high above the street to create an archway to pass under. There was an aura of pomp and circumstance as you drove down through it. That morning, the branches bowed low as the new snow laid heavily upon them.

Traveling along, I was startled by a loud noise. Something had hit the roof of my car. I was utterly caught off guard and ducked down in response. Just as I was gathering my thoughts and sitting back up behind the steering wheel, I was hit again. As I looked around to see if there was someone throwing something at me, a huge, white ball of snow came directly at my windshield. Splat! Natural instinct forced me to duck down in order to protect myself. Snowballs kept coming, one more rapidly than the other. I was taken aback at how many times I was getting hit, although I had convinced myself that ducking down each time was not a safe driving technique. The further I drove, the harder I got hit. Not seeing anyone else around, I yelled up to God, “You know, Lord, it’s not fair to start a snowball fight with someone when they can’t even throw one back!” The snow continued to roll off the branches as I passed by, and as I came to the end of the street, I could no longer hold back the laughter or the joy of getting into a snowball fight with God on my way to work.

There are many storms that come our way while we journey through life. Some come and go, others will come and stay for a while. Some will quickly leave an impression upon our hearts, showing us the beauty of the Lord like a rainbow after a thunderstorm. Others will linger and cause us to question God’s presence or his attentiveness to all that is happening around us.

The period of time prior to the snowball fight had been a very trying time. Many changes were taking place, adjustments were having to be made, and my stress level was rising to an all time high. I knew God would not leave me, but the weight of my own personal storm was causing great grief. Tears often fell as prayers seemed unanswered.

Psalm 30:5 says, “For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (NRSV). In spite of all that was happening in my life, joy had come to me that morning, without warning, and straight from the heavens. All of the cares that I had been carrying rolled off my shoulders, just like the snow falling off the branches as I passed by, and my heart was filled with joy. It took a snowball fight, but God finally had my attention.

Since that time, there have been many storms and God has woven his peace in and around many of them. Some gave new insight and compassion to help others who are going through similar situations. Some just delivered their brutal devastating blows and moved on, leaving only pain and sorrow. Some brought blessings in disguise. But no matter the storm, this I know. When you least expect it, God will show himself, even if it comes through a one-sided snowball fight.

Table Conversations

UNPRECENDENTED

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“Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again” (Exodus 10:14b, NIV).

Unprecedented times.  This is a phrase that has been used over and over and over these past few weeks regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.  I have heard it on news channels and read it in news briefs and updates.  It comes out in emails and letters as a preparatory statement for the changes that are being expressed in the paragraphs that follow.  I opened a letter this morning regarding a church event and there within the first sentence were the words “unprecedented times.”  I thought to myself, “I am so tired of hearing this phrase,” and yet I was caught by surprise when a gentle voice spoke back to me, “There was another time that was ‘unprecedented.’”

My thoughts quickly turned to Jesus.  His entire life was “unprecedented.”  A virgin birth, teaching in the temple at age 12, the calling of 12 disciples, teachings and healings among the crowds, miracles that left people dumbfounded, false accusations and betrayal, sentenced to die on a cross innocent of any wrongdoing, yet taking on that sentence because he was the sacrificial lamb for all sin.  His death, his burial, his resurrection, his revealing of himself after he was alive again, his ascension into heaven, his promise of and the Father’s sending of the Holy Spirit, and his continued involvement in humanity yet today – all of it– unprecedented.  God’s work through creation and in the lives of his people before Jesus came was/is unprecedented.  Even as I write this, I realize there is another day and time that will be unprecedented, and that is when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ returns to claim his bride (the church).

This morning I have been challenged to take something that seemed monotonous and annoying, and see it in a new light.  I have also been made aware that these times are not the only unprecedented times, for we have the testimony of Jesus’ life through the written and Holy Word of God, and the knowledge of his promises that are yet to come.  Glory be to God!

Table Conversations

UNCOVERED AND LAID BARE

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“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13, NIV).

As I’ve recently traveled the country roads and get a glimpse of the bare trees, the question comes to mind, “What would God see if I stood bare before him as these trees do?”  I’ve pondered their sturdiness, yet I also see their brokenness.  I’ve thought of how some branches have remained strong and upward, and some have gone various directions while others have been completely broken off midstream.  Some seem to have a more perfect shape than others.  Some appear to have gone through many battles, yet still remain standing.  For some, there is nothing left but a stump.

When I come before the Lord, bearing my soul to him, what does he see when he gazes upon me?  Does he see my strengths and my beauty?  Does he recognize the brokenness?  When life was going full steam ahead and suddenly came to an abrupt and unexpected halt, does he see the pain in my branches that were suddenly ended?  Do those branches that wind around and bend awkwardly represent the times I’ve had to awkwardly bend to the circumstances around me in order to continue to flourish?  What about the tree that looks more like a bushy hot mess?  Does that represent the goodness of a full life filled with many blessings, or does it represent a life that is overwhelmed and burdened?  Has life been such that I’ve simply become a stump with young branches popping up around me signaling some sense that life still exists?

According to Hebrews 4:13, nothing is hidden from God’s sight; therefore, he sees it all: “the good, the bad, and the ugly.”  Everything in our life is laid bare before him, whether we acknowledge him or not.  We cannot hide it, and we mustn’t try to hide it, for we are accountable for it.  I think of the moment I came to the altar of prayer and laid my heart out before the Lord, how he took me into his arms and has never let me go.  When I look at these trees, I am reminded that even though they have been through much, they have stood the test of time and still reach up to the heavens, offering to their Creator their praise.  And then I ask myself, “When I stand ‘uncovered and bare’ before the Lord, do I lift up my praise to him, or do I just see my nakedness?”

Table Conversations

LAMENT

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“When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, near the Jordan, they lamented loudly and bitterly; and there Joseph observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father” (Exodus 50:10, NIV).

Our world is lamenting today for many reasons, but the one most vivid is the loss of George Floyd and how his life was drained out of him.  I have not watched the videos, nor do I care to as I don’t need to see them to know that evil was at play.  It is gut wrenching to see photos and hear of what has happened, and my deepest prayer is that justice will be served on his behalf, and God will bring peace to the hearts and minds of his family.

Lamenting is a natural response to loss.  It is a way to express our sorrow and the brokenness we feel inside when we don’t know what else to do.  Our emotions are overrun with grief and our hearts scream out without understanding the depths of sorrow we feel inside.  It is okay to lament and grieve.  God gave us the gift of lamenting.

We have a right to express our grief.  We have a right to cry out and seek justice.  We have a right to stand and demand that answers be given when such an injustice has been done. We have a right to protest and speak for those whose voices are wrongfully silenced.  Yet, when we break out into riots and begin to destroy public and personal property of others, it’s no longer a right.  Looting to benefit self only, without any remorse for the injustice that was done is not protesting, it’s theft.  Setting businesses and public buildings on fire out of anger and hatred is not lamenting the injustice of this man, it’s committing arson.  While I understand the grief that Mr. Floyd’s family (and families like his) feel, I will never understand the riots, although I do understand what they reveal.

Our nation is lost in the deepest, darkest crevices of sin and evil.  It is sin in a man’s heart that causes him to be unwilling to move a knee to allow a man to breathe.  It is deep-rooted sin that allows us to show injustice and racism toward one another.  It is sin that causes us to become destructive and evil in our response.

As I viewed the photos of the National Guard standing in the gap to bring order into the cities, I was reminded of how Moses had to come back down from the mountain to bring order to the people of Israel, and how we as Christians are called to rise up like an army and stand in the gap for our nation.  Racism is sin.  Let us, as Christians, humble ourselves and come before the Lord on behalf of our nation.   For God has promised in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Table Conversations

It cost me $93.95 to vote!

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i-voted-2016

In America, we have the right to vote for the leaders of our country, as well as state and local officials. We have the right to freely express our personal choice of who we believe will be the best candidate to serve our nation. Some of that is determined on what is needed as a whole, but much of it – if we’re honest with ourselves – is determined by our own personal needs or wants.

In 240 years as a nation, many men AND women have fought boldly for our right to vote. I am forever grateful to these men and women, as well as all who have served in our military, and others who have stood strong to keep this right intact, no matter the cost. I take my right to vote very seriously.

In June, I faced changes in my life that required me to leave the state that I am a registered voter in. My intent was that it would be temporary, however temporary has become a lot longer than expected. As the election grew closer I began to study online what my options were in casting my vote. I could vote by mail, which I had done many times in the state I grew up in.

On October 7, 2016, I completed a Kansas state form to request my ballot by mail. Having not received anything by November 1, I took to communicating by phone. When I spoke to the county clerk’s office I was told that they had never received my request. I suddenly realized that I should have mailed it with a tracking number or required signature of receipt. But I hadn’t. Then, they began to tell me that it appeared I was requesting a Colorado ballot to be mailed to my Kansas box number. Suddenly, I realized, they DID get my request and wondered how long they had it in their possession without acting on it!

I asked her what made her think that I was requesting a Colorado ballot (this was a Kansas state form), and she responded by telling me I had provided a Colorado address in the personal information block. I replied, “Yes, that’s my temporary address.” I continued to explain that I had thought about putting my former Kansas address just to keep it simple, but I didn’t because I no longer lived at that address. I told her that if she looked at the form it stated that the Colorado street address was “temporary” and the ballot was to be mailed to my post office box in Kansas. In addition to that, I pointed out that the signature required at the bottom was preceded with the statement, “I do solemnly affirm under penalty of perjury” that the information I was submitting was true and I was qualified to vote. Putting my old address would have perjured myself. Right? She stuck to her guns about the old address.

After a hesitation, she told me that they had been overnighting some ballots out and she could overnight a ballot to my mailbox. I asked her to clarify that she said “overnight,” not just mailing it because regular mail would cause it to be delayed even longer, possibly never getting it before the election. She repeated, “overnight.” That was Tuesday afternoon.

Wednesday came. No ballot. Thursday came. No ballot. Friday morning, I’m back on the phone. This time I was told they never said “overnight” but they had mailed it to my box. This is a place that can take up to four days to get mail across town! I then called the state office to see what they could do. Nothing! I was doomed. But hope sparked when I got the call from my friend, who said she picked it up Friday morning and was overnighting it to me in Colorado. That was Friday. However, “overnight” meant it wouldn’t be in until Monday morning.

Since we only get mail three days a week out here in the “boonies” of eastern Colorado I traveled 16 miles to pick it up at the local post office. My mom and the postmaster had already had conversations about this ballot so she was waiting for me, however upon my arrival she regretted to tell me that the mail carrier was an hour late, and she would not be able to “overnight” it back to Kansas. She could only do a 2-day express from her office (it’s a small town thing). That meant it would not arrive in Kansas until Wednesday. But all hope was not gone, not yet! I told her it would be fine, I would Google some places to see where I would have to go. At this point, it was either Aurora or Colorado Springs. After making more phone calls, Colorado Springs won out even though it was further.

As soon as the ballot arrived in Lindon, I grabbed it and headed for Colorado Springs. It was all working out because it was not yet noon and I had until 3:00 pm. I arrived in Colorado Springs and got in line at the post office. A gentleman helped me get all the appropriate papers completed and an envelope ready to go. I stepped up to the window and said, “I need to overnight this.” She gave me a very serious look and said, “I can’t guarantee this overnight to this address.” I looked at her rather surprised, and said with firmness, “I called here this morning and they told me you could overnight it. I’ve traveled over 80 miles just to get here!” (Actually, it was 125 but my mind wasn’t recalculating – where is Alexa when you need her?)

I was so discouraged and the line behind me was quite long so you don’t just throw a tantrum. In her apology, she mentioned UPS or FedEx. I just picked up my papers, handed the kind gentleman his pen back, and walked out. Defeated! Then, there was this nudge. This thought that said, “UPS is just down the street. Try it.” So I did – with no hope at all, but I really had nothing to lose! I walked in, showed them my ballot envelope that was pre-addressed and said with very little enthusiasm, “Can you get this to this address by tomorrow?” The service gal, dragging out the response, said, “Yes, but it will cost you.” I said, “I’m fully aware of that!” So, she priced it before she would even tell me anything more. I think she expected me to just walk away, but I said, “Let’s do it.” You see, I’m a stubborn soul – especially when I get backed up against a wall. My stubbornness had kicked in and I was determined to have my right to vote. So I sent my ballot UPS and tracking it today, it arrived at 10:30 am this morning (election day)! I feel accomplished!

I’ve learned some lessons in this process:

  • Be more diligent when sending requests such as this. Stay on top of it!
  • There are people who aren’t that interested in helping you, but there are many more who will go out of their way to help make it happen. I met some wonderful people along the way who still give me hope in humanity.
  • Voting can get expensive! Because of how my request was handled, it cost $23.70 for my friend to send the ballot to me, $57.65 for me to overnight it back to the clerk’s office, $12.60 to fill my tank up with gas (only $1.98/gallon!), and 260 miles traveled to pick it up and get it sent back before returning home late in the evening.
  • Voting is a right and a privilege, and no one should be able to take that away from you for any reason! I had the right to vote. I had the right to express my voice in this election and I was going to do whatever it took to accomplish that.

And now, I’m going to go update my voter registration.

Table Conversations

“Everybody’s an expert” …. I’m no expert!

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expert |ˈekˌspərt|  –  (noun):  a person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area

There is a lot of pressure in being an expert.  Pressure that I don’t necessarily desire to pursue.  Even so, I do believe in giving one’s best to whatever one commits to.  In 1 Corinthians 15:58 we find these words:

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (New International Version).

What is “the work of the Lord?”  For many years I served as an administrative assistant and/or business manager within the office of a church.  I later answered the call to pastoral ministry, and this is the true desire of my heart today.  In either aspect of these professions, it would seem that my life is fully dedicated to the work of the Lord.  Yet, I believe giving oneself “fully” goes much deeper than what my profession has become.

As a Christian, I have made a commitment to God that everything I am and all that I say or do would be “fully to the work of the Lord.”  Therefore, my relationships – whether it is with other Christians or not, should reflect God’s love and compassion.  My behavior toward others as well as the words I choose should lift others up, not tear them down.  The actions of my life should reflect a servant’s heart like Jesus, not judgment.  No matter what I am up against, my life should  be fully focused on reflecting God’s work within me and the work He wants to do through me rather than the circumstances around me.

Just because my work is within the ministry of the church, it does not mean my work has always been fully focused on the work of the Lord.  Being detailed oriented and somewhat of a perfectionist (I’m trying to cure that) can cause me to fail to see the more important things God wants to show me.  It is the difference of being a Mary or a Martha (Luke 10:38-42).  Granted, there is a need for both, but sometimes I have a tendency to be more of a Martha when it might have pleased God more for me to be a Mary.

I have come to realize that my expertness in presentation can miss the point of the purpose.  Therefore, the expert I become becomes no expert at all.  This I do know.  If I faithfully dedicate my life to Christ, and allow God to do His work within me the way He wants to do it within me, then I am prepared to give myself fully to the work of the Lord.  It will not be in vain, because He has assured me that even the smallest of my offerings can be used to His glory – even when I fail.

My challenge today is to continue to offer my life fully to the work of the Lord so He can continue the work He has started within me and through me.  I invite you to do the same.

Verse of Encouragement ∼ Philippians 2:1-5

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”