This post will be simple in nature. The simplicity of community and friendship has been forgotten in our busy world. It’s not that we don’t practice hospitality, we’ve lost touch of the deeper “why” behind connection.  We are drawn to celebrate, invite, connect, and even the introvert will find their way towards  a human connection.  A book I’m reading caused serious attention to the “why”.  The Turquoise Table by Kristin Schell is a woman’s journey towards fellowship and love in her community.

Having read the first chapter, I visited a group of friends in the home of a new mom–baby number three, a beautiful boy. We had lunch as the children played, and I held the sweet bundle of preciousness in my arms. I find complete joy in holding a sleeping baby while wrestling with eating with one hand. I go back to my days of motherhood and smile.

Our conversation was a cacophony of the season of life we are in and talking it out. In the talking it out you realize that others have been there and offer empathy, a laugh, and suggestions. Later that week, I took heed to a suggestion which ultimately connected me with a family member in a positive way. Honestly, I drove away wondering why I had shared, but then God showed up later with the “why”.  I love when that happens.  Don’t you?

Visiting another friend to drop of materials for work, I left with the promise of a sofa and chair for my oldest daughter.  They were getting new  furniture, and her old became my daughter’s new. Baby clothes passed down, a hug from a friend and tears because you miss them, reassuring, connecting around the table…..

I suppose these things go on every day, and you may wonder why I’m writing about the simplicity of the day-to-day, but my heart is aching for acceptance. Are you so busy and frazzled that you wonder if you connect enough? What if I told you, without knowing you, that I believe you are doing your very best, and it is pretty dang awesome!

I’m so tired of thinking that if I don’t do ______________ then I haven’t tried hard enough. 

I beseech you to accept your table, and, if you judge others, please stop. Let them know their table is enough.

I read books and convince myself that I must do more. If I read a book about solitude and rest, I rearrange the calendar for alone time.  Reading a book on connection causes me to reflect on what more can I do.  God quietly shared with me, “It is enough”.   My enough caused me to see my life in the now, in this moment. In this moment, my home is quiet and I”m enjoying my time in solitude .  Little by little the day will creep in and all will change.  Today, God, You have given me my daily bread.

Mother Teresa  said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other.”

You don’t need to do more.  You need to remember.  God will cause us to “go away to a quiet place and rest”, and He will also show you opportunities to connect and to find peace.  Just before the call for a quiet rest, they were pretty busy connecting to the point they forgot to eat.

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

My connections are specific to His story for me. Do not try to become the author from the book you are reading, your neighbor, or your coworker’s Pinterest life.  Your cup of coffee at Starbucks with a friend is just as wonderful as a fine dining experience for a crowd in your home.

Your smile, your touch, your quiet presence are all a part of  the amazing “why”.  Through the course of your day at work, home, and play you can notice and remember, or you can think about the next thing and disconnect.  My personal favorite, begrudge the moment because, well,  it or they are annoying.  See  the moment differently–through the eyes of love. Walk in the attitude that your table is enough, because God’s love is working it all out.

I want to close with a beautiful story about Ludmilla.  A powerful story about a woman living out her life through love and connection despite the many challenges she has faced in her lifetime.