Our Family Table

Only a year or two ago, our family made a purchase for which I am thankful every day. A big, square, 8-seater timber table. As I pondered today, I realised that it truly has become one of the centre pieces of our home.

It is a place for togetherness. For prayer. For physical and spiritual food. For gathering. For hospitality. For craft. For learning. For letter writing. For gift wrapping. For play. For drawing. For conversation and laughter.

As the sun rises, our table sits ready to hold the little ones' breakfast. William is always first. ;) "Where's my weetbix, Mama?"

By midday it is strewn with activity. Remnants of morning tea. Mail collected and delivered to me by the children. Dolls. Books.

Then late afternoon it is cleared again, wiped down and place mats set, ready for our evening meal. This means Stuart is almost home. Hooray!

Just as with breakfast, William is always seated first at the table. :) "What's 'or dinner, Mama?" "Chicken and salad wraps, William". "Ah, my LOVE chicken Mama!!!!!" :D

And we are together again, seated around this table. Night after night. It is our gathering place, our homecoming!

And as the night settles over us, the table is cleared and wiped down once again, lights dimmed, children tucked into bed. The kittens sit by the door watching the outdoor night life (moths, toads, possums and the like). Stuart and I settle into our own evening activities. And our table sits and rests, ready to serve us anew tomorrow.