Welcome to the Table

How did your children graduate to the table? It was probably in a high chair or maybe one of those hang on chairs? Or, maybe you barred them until they could seat in their booster seat? But even granting the most cautious and mess adverse parents, you probably had all your kids to the table by two or three? Maybe most of them at or very near the table at 12 months, eating away at the high chair or hooked to the table?

         Why do we do this? Why do we want the children at the table? The answer is obvious. Because they are members of the family. To keep them away from the table says a great deal. Either they are not part of us, or they cannot eat our food, or maybe we are just too scared of the mess? But our natural, parental tendency is to want them there, to welcome them there, to rejoice when they can participate, hold their hands for the prayer, see them raise their hands at the doxology, hear them make positive affirming noises at the food.

         These things all mirror God’s view towards us at His Table. He wants us there, messy as we are. He wants to nourish us. He wants us to be part of His family. He is glad to have us near, holding our hand, saying a prayer with us, prouncing a benediction upon us. This is not so hard. You, y’all, all y’all, are welcome to the Table.