Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Object Lessons - The Kitchen Table

That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children,  That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments… Psalms 78:6-7 

When I look at my kitchen table I am reminded of many memories.  I guess we have had that table about 12 years or so.  We have spent many moments together at that table, homeschooling, eating, visiting, doing crafts, and we are not finished with it yet. 

Of course when it was brand new, I tried to make sure no one wrote on it, scratched it, or nicked it, but with four kids, it didn’t take long for it to get its first scratch.  That first scratch was soon followed by paint, marker, pen marks, fork scratching, and the list goes on.  Now those marks are precious reminders to me of how life used to be.  They serve as reminders of sweet days, when at the time I might have been ready to pull my hair out.  They are reminders of days gone by that make us remember to be grateful for the moments we have because we realize how fast they are passing. 
We also have eaten many holiday meals around that table.  Sometimes we had extended family join us and sometimes it was just our family, enjoying a special meal on a special day together.  I remember one Thanksgiving in particular.  It was just us.  The kids were having fun, playing in the woods together.  It was cold and dreary and while they were at the woods playing, big soft snowflakes began to fall.  They had so much fun.  Then they came home to gather around the table for a warm holiday meal. 

This table is also a place where many words of wisdom have been imparted.  Here their father, while eating a meal together, shared advice with his children who soaked up every word he said.  With the busyness of life, sometimes the moments we got to spend together all in one place were few and far between.  Just having dad at the table brought a whole new dynamic to the meal, and everyone hung on his words.  In Deuteronomy God tells us to teach our children about Him and His love.  He instructs us as parents to talk about this with our children as we sit at home.  The kitchen table is the perfect place to talk about the goodness of God. 

The scratched up imperfect table is beautiful to me.  It has character and personality that makes it different from any other table in the world.  It holds the scars of our family, good and bad, and I love it all.  I used to want to refinish it and cover up all the blemishes, but now I know I will never change it.  I want my children to come back someday with their own children and gather around that table, scratches and all.  I want them to look at it and remember the conversations, laughter, and the warmth shared there.  It is a symbol of togetherness, unity, and love. 

As you look at your kitchen table, remember what a symbol it is.  Remember all the history it holds and all that has transpired there.  Let it be a treasure to you instead of an eyesore.  The value of an object is not always in the beauty, but in the meaning it holds for us.  Our lives can be thought of in much the same way.  We are scarred and imperfect.  We have blemishes and dents, but God still treasures us.  He sees the value beneath the finish.  Thank Him for accepting you, nicks and all.

Scripture to Claim:
Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got! Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.  Deuteronomy 6:5-7 MSG

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