The table. The center of many homes. The family gathering place. Even in a bed and breakfast it can serve an important purpose. Recently a guest pointed out how the table can be catalyst of many conversations, laughter, tears, and prayers. He said our table was a “table of grace”. That got me thinking about everything that happens around our table.
When we purchased the inn, I was a bit concerned about the size of our common area. Cozy and quaint, but not large enough to serve 8 or more guests at the same time. How would I serve everyone on a full morning? That proved to not be a problem. With capability to serve breakfast in 2 of the rooms, morning schedules of our guests, and a beautiful patio on good days, serving guests has been easy.
Breakfast can be quite the event at The Mill House if you choose to eat at the table with other guests. It can be a private intimate time for those who choose to eat alone. Either way, we are happy to serve.
But back to the table. It’s been used to play games and form friendships between couples who have just met, or if we are asked, to form relationships between us ( innkeepers ) and guests. We’ve been invited to gather around the table with families, guests staying for events, or just pastoral couples who need prayer and encouragement. It’s held breakfast foods, dinner for international guests, cookies for a party, and beverages for a fun and entertaining evening.
We’ve held hands with a veteran and his family and prayed together as they finished breakfast. We’ve prayed for a couple who just found out their young son was diagnosed with cancer. ( they just popped in with him to tell us how well he was doing!) We’ve prayed with a couple that got the news that their son was killed while they were staying with us. We’ve welcomed new babies. We’ve celebrated retirements, anniversaries, and birthdays! And, we’ve been encouraged by prayers given for us by our guests. We’ve encouraged people of all walks of life, cultures, races, religions. All our welcome!
I’ve been trying to start praying around the table as I clean up breakfast and wipe things down. From chair to chair asking God to bless the next person that sits in that place.
Come to our table….miracles can happen and connections are made!
A popular Christian song says it all! Come to the table, YOU are welcome here!
To the hero and the coward
To the prisoner and the soldier
To the young, to the older
All who hunger, all who thirst
All the last, all the first
All the paupers and the princes
All who fail you’ve been forgiven
All who dream, all who suffer
All who loved and lost another
All the chained, all the free
All who follow, all who lead
Anyone who’s been let down
All the lost you have been found
All who’ve been labeled right or wrong
Everyone who hears this song
Come, come to the table
Oh eh, come join the sinners you have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Just sit down and be set free
Oh come on
Just sit down and be set free
Come to the table
Come on now
Come to the table
You’re welcome here
THANK YOU for your Philemon 1:7 ministry! The hearts of so many have been refreshed through both of you, Ron and Kathy, at your table and during their stays at the Mill House. May God bless you with many bountiful tables to come.
What a beautiful message. Thanks for sharing.