Hungry? Thirsty? Come!!

Precious Grandson, Jaxon, Eating First Muffin

"Come all who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.  Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?  Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.  Give ear and come to Me; hear Me that your soul may live."  Isaiah 55:1-3a

How He Surprises Us With the Mirror of His Word!!

The Lord so encouraged me yesterday with the following:  
I’ve made you to contain, to hold contents, to content you!!  You will learn this in the world sin-devastated, for Adam and Eve, like you, couldn’t learn it in Perfect Garden walking with Me in cool of day.  I desire not only to walk beside but to reside inside, to occupy you, and you desire to be occupied, filled, and never alone.  You desire not only to be surrounded by beauty, but to enter into Beauty, and I into you.  Intercourse pictures faintly the pleasure intended forever for you.

I emptied Myself, came and became God-Man, taking your place on blood-stained cross, covering once for all your shame.  Then, emptying tomb of all power to contain you, I opened The Way for you to contain Me, that I might content you, fill and refill you always.

Already Chewing on The Word

For further blessing, meditate upon:  Psalm 34:8, Matthew 5:6, Isaiah 49:10, Palm 42:1-5, John 4:31-34, John 6, John 7:37-39, and Psalm 63:1.  One Thousand Gifts, by Ann VosKamp also has much to say about collecting manna!!

Visit www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com as well!!

Preparing a Table for Toddlers

My daughter requested help on a couple of projects for her birthday this year.  First, she hoped to transform her existing weathered coffee table into a more feminine version with soft edges in the interest of her son’s safety.

Off we went to Hobby Lobby where she chose a durable upholstery fabric, supplies for constructing buttons, and foam to cover her table top.  Her husband built the bead board shelf and painted the table before we went to work upholstering.  Tufting proved tricky, but after several trials the ottoman/coffee table emerged exquisite!!

Why did I elect to feature this table on A Table Prepared?  I thought you would never ask!!  You probably caught in paragraph one that a baby child inspired this project.  Knowing he soon would rise to stand on two deliciously chubby feet; my daughter PREPARED a table suitable for him.  She did so with an eye for beauty and a mind for practicality!!  Around this table her child will learn to walk, will cut teeth, will drive toy cars, and will learn a million and one lessons.  Likely, he will learn to climb upon, jump from, and camp beneath this table.  He will narrate untold adventures, and probably even further embellish the table with drool, tears, spilled juice, maybe even a stray Crayola mark.  Looking back on this table someday he will know, “My Mom and Dad loved me and continually affirmed my value through the home (life) they built for me.”

I’m convinced love prepares special tables for hosting a child’s education -- tables developmentally appropriate, beautiful yet functional.  These tables welcome children to explore and imagine.  Very young children likely learn more around the coffee table than the dinner table given the perfect fit with their stature and location in the middle of the family room.  For this reason, wisdom recommends a “kid-friendly” table designed to multi-task, one that goes the distance.  One without an “Off-Limits” sign!!

Love also plans for a child to feast on the goodness and glory of God through rich educational experiences.  Thus a prepared table may stretch beyond the physical borders of a piece of furniture to encompass an environment at the child’s eye level filled with interest.  Encounters with Creator God take place when parents simply and intentionally introduce their child to the world He has made.   Encouraging wonder and directing natural curiosity happily lead to the formation of excellent study habits before a child can read the printed word or understand formal lessons.  Treating a child regularly to such a feast, whets the appetite for more of God; feeding and breeding a heart hungry to know the One behind all delights.

God prepared this table (land) for Jax’s first science lessons.  He learned wild onions stink and tickle your nose!!  My daughter often seats him in the grass to feast on the activity of God all around him.  He is an avid student, and watching him delight to learn teaches the adults in his life many things.

My daughter understands much of teaching involves properly setting the table (preparing the feast and utensils), stimulating the appetite, and in turn feeding the soul and spirit unadulterated/organic (pure and living) nourishment.  For this reason, she not only designs and constructs cute furnishings, but she consistently provides her son with enticing learning experiences, generating in him enthusiasm he at times can’t contain.  He literally quivers with awe, longing to know more, to taste more, his young appetite for discovery, for life, for the Truth and the Life, increases daily.  She teaches him to yearn and learn at the same time.  Here are a few of the activities/tools she has crafted to train both mind and spirit to perceive God’s presence in the world, and to hunger and thirst after Him.

Sensory bottles designed for small hands and busy inquisitive minds provide a multitude of learning possibilities.  She filled her bottles with 1) food coloring, water, dish detergent for bubble fun; 2) corn syrup and alphabet confetti; 3) sand and tiny shells; 4) colorful pom poms; and, 5) rice.  A veritable feast for the senses, these bottles entertain while cultivating powers of observation and a love for learning.

 

She pieced this texture blanket to use during tummy time.  He especially likes to poke his fingers through the holes in the doily.  She chose a variety of fabrics:  sequined, silky, ruffled, pleated, furry, rough, etc.  Touching, and even tasting different materials, builds a frame of reference for future perceptions, a memory catalog of sensations.  Baby Jax compares and contrasts sights, sounds, and textures with no understanding yet of the concept, meanwhile his sensory bank fills daily with information that will later help him interpret and describe his world and his God.

In addition to using fabrics, she also created a book using scrapbook paper with different patterns, colors, and textures for him to explore visually and with his fingers.

As well as adorable alphabet flashcards with added texture and dimension for interest.

Shape recognition provides still another framework for grouping or classifying, teaching a child to make logical connections.   Images were found online and printed for pennies!

I could say so much more, but I hope I’ve said enough to inspire you to prepare tables for the little ones in your life whom you are privileged to teach and influence.  Oh, and did I mention I’m pretty proud of my daughter, Charlcie, for the fine job she (and her husband BJ) are doing raising baby Jax?!!

Love to her and to you,

Grammy

Life More Abundant

Painting of Lori following our trip to Uganda

With an unexpected phone call and a home visit, I’ve witnessed in awe God bringing to fruition a dream He birthed in the heart of my daughter more than a year ago in Uganda.  There she fell in love with children in a fresh and living way.   There she began to entertain becoming a foster parent.  And now after training and months and months of waiting, Lori shares her well-prepared table with a little boy God rescued and brought to her doorstep.  This week began like no other as she packed a school lunch, bought school supplies, and decorated a bedroom with love, communicating sensitivity to a young man’s preferences, valuing him in partnership with God. 

One of many tables Lori has spread for guests

Just a couple of weeks ago she filled vases with flowers, warmed the room with fragrant candles and glowing hearth, and spread out a feast of appetizers and dessert for close friends.  She did this in part because she enjoys entertaining but also to provide opportunity for a friend to market the silver jewelry she sells.  For a number of years God has cultivated the gift of hospitality in Lori.  From dinner parties, to brunches, to costume parties, to showers, she has opened her home to many a friend and family member in order to nourish them gourmet style.  Not only does she express her creativity in the kitchen, but in the unique combination of ambience and playfully light conversation over tantalizing meals.  She enjoys variety and introducing people to new foods found in all cultures, all served pretty as a picture in her own characteristic style.  All this aside, I believe there has been a longing stirring in her heart to sit across the table from a child and pour in life – her life and the life of God in her, day in and day out.

Fall Decorations at Lori's

My Sweet Daughter Lori and I

To better acquaint you the reader with my daughter, she has never been able to walk past a stray animal.  Early on in life she hoped to be a veterinarian, but due to allergies elected a different career path.  Nonetheless, her current menagerie includes two rescued pups: Ben (short for Benjamin Franklin) and Lexie (short for Alexander Graham Bell), a cat with dermatitis named Einstein, a widowed canary named Bonnie, and a horse named Molly.  A champion for justice, she opted to pursue a law degree long before most students know what on earth they want to do in life.  Undeterred from dreaming big she hoped one day to be the first female president of the United States.  Her life in brief review amazes me as I see things “coming together” like the elements of a Renaissance mural.  I begin to see and appreciate with wonder the layering of fine details by the Master.  Her preferences, desires, bents, and strengths mingled with a zeal and gift for sharing life around the table with those she loves have congealed in Lori in this season of becoming a foster Mom.  Years of preparation have equipped her for the role and stoked in her a fire that burns to live for the good of those less fortunate that they too might live blessed.

Lori and the Ugandan Child Who Won Her Heart

Merriam Webster defines hospitable as follows: 

“1a : given to generous and cordial reception of guests b : promising or suggesting

  generous and cordial welcome c : offering a pleasant or sustaining environment

2: readily receptive : open…”

This describes the evolution I’ve witnessed in my daughter from loving to lavishly entertain guests, to opening her heart to offer a pleasant sustaining environment, particularly to one who might not otherwise experience consistent sustenance in all its forms.  To me this epitomizes a table well prepared by one eager to sacrifice and invest wisely, one who has chosen to practice true religion (spoken of in James 1).  A table designed not to impress or purely to meet a personal need for fellowship, rather to foster an exchange of love, hope, laughter, security.  A table promoting and empowering life to the fullest!!

Lori with Lexie and Ben

As this year draws to a close, I am extremely thankful that my daughter Lori has been granted her heart’s desire and that her life will never be the same for the decision she has made to know, love, and express God’s favor to a very special young man.  I pray he is filled out of the overflow of her heart, and blessed to be set in our family to be unconditionally loved and prized. 

Lori and nephew, Baby Jax

Prepared Along With Lori to Love,

Grammy

Investing Round the Table

Preparing a table is more about setting the stage for cultivating relationships than place settings and interesting tablescapes.  A prepared table invokes a mood, serves as the background for fond memories, and showcases beauty and creativity, contributing to a greater appreciation of seasonal changes.  Celebrations demand a prepared table where favorite dishes grace familiar plates, and loved ones gather to express love to the one celebrated and to each other.  The act of preparing together time-honored recipes establishes traditions – providing structure and a healthy framework for family life.   By inviting younger ones to bring their stool and don their apron, or entrusting them with the all important task of laying out the utensils, they are made to feel valued and given a sense of belonging.

Pausing at the table often to take it all in, to digest both what is served and more importantly what is said, allows for testimonies of God’s goodness to pass between generations.  Just as God prepared a table land for His sheep in dire need of a Good Shepherd, we have opportunity to prepare a safe and nurturing environment in the midst of a dangerous and destructive culture.  God goes before us and addresses the dangers, the poisonous plants, the snares, wild animals, steep cliffs, polluted watering holes, and makes provision.  Not only does He prepare the table land, but He accompanies His sheep, making Himself present and available to feed, protect, and rest His loved ones.  May we as under-shepherds, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, elder siblings do likewise, and know the deep joy of investing at table!!

I spent last weekend assisting my multi-talented daughter, Charlcie, with decorating her home for fall.  With a few sprigs of fall foliage, a fairy tale pumpkin, and pictures of Baby Jax, we went to work transforming her living and dining room.  Old bottles repurposed as vases stood tall in their appointed places.  A banner swagged across the kitchen window celebrated our newest family member, Baby Jax, both in pictures and captions.  (Visit Storehouse Crafts at http://storehousecrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/instagram-polaroid-banner.html for the tutorial for making a polaroid banner). 

We carried the theme out into the entryway to warmly welcome all who visit her home.  From the guest room closet we pulled out pillows no longer in everyday use and mixed them in for a pop of fall color.  To top off our experience of ushering in fall, we went out for a wonderful fall breakfast, to the pumpkin patch for pictures, and on Sunday to the park for a walk along the river and sugar cookie decorating (see previous post).  What a joy to prepare a table with my daughter for her family!!!

Please share in the comments section how you prepare your home for fall and usher in a spirit of thanksgiving long before the turkey is purchased.

And for a real treat, visit Charlcie's website,  http://www.facebook.com/#!/AndersonEythPhotography  to enjoy more of her photography.  Have a wonderful week preparing tables and dining in the presence of the Lord!!

Charlcie and Baby Jax in the Pumpkin Patch

Filled with His Goodness,

Terry

For more inspirational reading visit http://www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

A Table Prepared Is Born

While driving to church, sugar cookies warm and fragrant on the seat beside me, I imagined sitting across from my children and grandchild icing them.  Preparing tables on grassy knoll or in dining room candlelit has long brought me pleasure.  No surprise therefore that God inspired the creation of this blog built around our shared passion for fostering communion.   At His table, I’ve come to appreciate His delight in creatively preparing feast after feast for His loved ones in the very presence of their enemies.  I pray for a deeper revelation of His joy as I abide in Him, preparing tables for purposes of building relationships and edifying those in OUR company.