It is often difficult to share my thoughts and concerns with those I love the most. This will come as a surprise to some readers. I am not known as a soft-spoken person or someone who holds back her opinions. And there is also the fact that I am a preacher. There’s that. But standing in the pulpit and delivering a crafted message that has taken many hours of preparation is not the same as sitting around the kitchen table with my dearest companions. I want people to “get along”… I also want to feel safe enough for the many things that are often going on inside my head to make their way out through my lips. Other folks don’t worry like this. I have a friend who is always trying to do her best and so, she is very careful about saying anything that might prevent her from achieving her goals. In the meantime she is misjudged as a person who is remote when actually she is thinking things will fall apart around her if she allows her feelings to surface. Most often she keeps them fairly quiet.
Everyone brings different anxieties to the table. I hold hope that the Grace of God goes before me in my best effort to be known and that Jesus calls us, in the breaking of the bread, to be fully known by God and each other. What does that mean? It means when we sit and break bread with each other we have an opportunity to share what we are thinking and feeling. Sometimes it is surface talk “how was your day?” but sometimes it goes deeper “mom, what does it matter if boys love boys or girls love girls? why are some people so upset about that anyway?” When we establish ground rules for talking and can hold each other in love while we ask and answer questions the conversation goes well. When we don’t things get a bit rocky. But if you can’t talk about things at the table then where will you talk about them?
We will be introducing a song in worship this week called “Bread & Wine” by Josh Garrels. I appreciate the lyrics. Here are a few:
There’s some things we can’t live without,
A man’s so prone to doubt,
Faithful are the wounds of friends.
So give it just a little time,
Share some bread and wine
Weave your heart into mine,
My friend.
Walls fall down, where there’s a peaceful sound,
lonely souls hang around.
Don’t be shy, there’s nothing left to hide,
come on let’s talk a while.
(from the song “Bread & Wine” by Josh Garrels)
I look forward to “weaving your heart into mine” as we move through the coming weeks and our new worship series. It may not always be easy or comfortable. God is with as we come to the table each week to listen, pray, talk and break bread together.
Consider bringing a friend. There will be lots to talk about.
~Linda
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