IF Table
For those who don’t know, the IF Table is a monthly gathering place where women connect with each other over one of the best things on Earth…food! A blog entry is posted about the monthly topic, and conversation cards are offered to facilitate conversation about the topic. For more information about how the IF Table works, click here (https://www.ifgathering.com/table)
The November blog was written by Bri McKoy, whose most recent book is Come and Eat: A Celebration of Love and Grace around the Everyday Table. In her blog, she references how Jesus taught us the importance of gathering people around our table. She stated that a table where Jesus is present is filled with meekness, humility, and service. She asks us to consider the “table,” Jesus’ experiences at tables, and our perspective of our own table.
What is Your Banner?
Bri brings up the word “banner” in her blog and her questions. The question that stuck out to me is: “Do you have an intentional banner for your table?” In other words, do you gather people around your table with purpose? If so, what is it?
This question hit me hard. Sadly, I am running around so much during the week that I don’t have a lot of intentionality with my table. I’m lucky to plan dinner! The phrase “intentional banner” made me think about my home, my family, and the intimacy that meals should bring. What do I want people to know about me and my family? What do I want our focus to be with guests in our home? One of the ladies in my group said she wanted people to feel not just invited, but WANTED when they come into her home.
How true is that? How many times have we received an invitation to someone’s home but were not sure if they would even miss us? Oh, I pray that the people we invite into our home know that they are loved, wanted, and important.
Holiday vs. Everyday Table
Is your holiday table more important than your everyday table?
Talk about deep. How often do we really focus on the importance of our everyday table? This wasn’t a direct question (or statement) from Bri’s blog, but it came up in our IF Table discussion. We take time to focus on the holiday table–the decorations, good food, ensuring that we are surrounded by loved ones. Why do we honor and celebrate the holiday table more than we do the everyday table? Holidays come and go…relationships are rekindled, and memories are made. But why are we quick to dismiss the importance of our everyday table?
We may rekindle relationships at the holiday table, but we make relationships at the everyday table. The everyday table is where we cultivate, develop, and strengthen the relationships of our families, our friends, and those who may need a seat at our table. The everyday table is where we honor and reiterate the importance of community, which is vital to the rhythm of the church.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m excited to have holiday dinners just like most of us are! But I love Bri’s focus on the table in this blog. Her written words, along with my group’s spoken words, reminded me that our everyday conversations around our table have significance. Don’t exchange “table” time for distractions. God created us to live in community with others.
What is the Focus of Your Table?
I’m still thinking about which word to use for the “banner” over our table. What would your word be? Joy? Peace? Grace? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section of our blog!!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Be encouraged by these posts as well!
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- Prayer for Moms Across the World - May 7, 2018
- Staying Still: Learning the Spiritual Discipline of Meditation - January 31, 2018
- Living Out Love on Valentine’s Day - January 24, 2018
We try to focus and not run around, but we haven’t been so good at that lately. I LOVE the point your friend made about people being made to feel wanted, not just invited.
I loved my friend’s comment!! I was so encouraged by her statement!
I’d never head of the IF table before – what a neat opportunity to gather together!
It is! The IF table is only once a month, and they prepare the discussion cards for you. The focus is on the fellowship and the food!
Love the idea of having a purpose and focus every day at the table. I’ve been learning more about hospitality lately. Community can be hard for an introvert like me, but it is a needed part of the Christian life.
Thank you for sharing!