Surviving Chaos

When God blessed us with child number five, I realized something very important, our dining room table wasn’t big enough for our growing family.

Sitting down together for the evening meal has always been something our family treasured. We found it’s allows for deep conversations, moments to connect, and a way to slow down the busyness of life.

But when number 5 arrived, we realized our table was no longer large enough to accommodate our family. So, I started looking for a bigger table. And when I couldn’t find what I was looking for, I decided to build one.

No blueprints or pattern. Just a picture in my head of what the table would look like.

In the end, I built a seven foot by 4 feet barn pallet table with an epoxy top, something large enough for all the members of my growing family.

This was one of the first pieces of furniture I ever built, and it showed my inexperience. It’s heavy, flawed, and certainly not perfect.

But it does exactly what it was built to do…It makes room.

Recently, I experienced a moment that made me think about our table in a different way.

About a month ago, I was serving at a Catholic funeral.

When it came time for communion, I noticed a couple sitting in the back of the church. The husband gently encouraged his wife to go forward, but you could tell they weren’t familiar with the tradition\s of the service.

So, I quietly approached them and asked if I could assist.

The husband leaned over and said, ‘We’re not Catholic. Can we take part in Communion?’

Gently, I explained that in the Catholic Church, communion is reserved for Catholics.

I told him that he was welcome to go forward and receive a blessing from the priest, but to take part in communion, to drink from the cup and eat the bread would require him to be catholic.

This moment stayed with me.

Not because I was judging… not because I was upset… but because it forced me to think more deeply about this question:

When it comes to Communion, who is this table for?

When we examine scripture, we see exactly who was invited to this table.

Jesus, while breaking bread with his disciples, invited men who didn’t have it all together.

His disciples would fail Him.

One would betray him.

One would deny Him.

One would doubt Him.

All of them would scatter.

And yet… He still said, “Take and eat; this is my body.”- (Matthew 26:26)

He knew exactly who was sitting at his table, and Jesus still made room for them.

That thought stuck with me- Jesus made room at the table

The table in my home was built to make room for my family, not because they’re perfect, but to remind them they are valued, loved, and belong.

This table… was built by Jesus’ body and blood. And he invites each of us to come, sit, and eat.

“And he took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them saying. “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”- (Luke 22:19)

Whether it’s the man at the back of the church or my family, we all need a table where we can come and know we belong.

This table is not about perfection. It’s about provision.

It’s not about earning a seat. It’s about receiving grace.

So, as you take the bread and the juice, remember the sacrifice Jesus made for you and for me.

He made room for you at His table. Come, sit, and eat because there’s room at the table for you!