Around My Table - Kady Adair
Around my table are the people I love most in this world. The people that I would do anything for, that I do everything with and the centre of my life. My husband of 13 years who I love dearly, can be very cheeky and funny and who I have experienced the highs and lows of life with, sits around my table with our amazing son who is 10 and two gorgeous daughters, 8 & 5. Around the table we eat together, we talk and we thank God for what He has provided us. It’s nearly like our sacred place where we tune out the world and the world becomes us.
I grew up around the table just like my father and his father did.
I have fond memories of sleepovers at my Grandparents house and sitting around the table together in the morning, listening as my Grandad would lead us in devotions and then we would join him in prayer as he called out every single name in our family and prayed God’s protection and blessing over them. The weekdays in my home would always end with eating a meal with my parents and siblings around our table.
In these fast paced modern days, the table has been more for special occasions and gatherings, not so important or prioritised for the everyday. But as I had children and we began to raise a family, I started to realise the power of the table.
Life is busy. Life is full. And those with kids know that sometimes it can look a little chaotic. Some days you feel like you are conquering every challenge you face and others you are a deflated mess. I find I can get so absorbed with trying to achieve what’s needed to be done that sometimes pulling together some form of a quick healthy dinner and the kids eating it wherever and whatever time, is a massive achievement. But every time I don’t do what I can, to sit our family around the table, I know I’ve missed an opportunity.
Why? Because the table brings unity.
In that moment, everything else stops around us and we are brought into a space together. It’s an opportunity to hear each other and what’s going on in each of our worlds. It’s an opportunity for my kids to connect with us being focused solely on them. Put the phones aside, turn off the TV and watch your kids revel in the fact that your focus is completely on them.
The table brings love and safety.
I am often amazed at the depth of conversation and vulnerability displayed in my kids when we talk around the table. Somehow this special place is open to questions that they may have been afraid to ask before. One thing we often do as a family is spend time speaking things we love about each person. Nothing else brings us closer together than in this moment. Everyone gets a chance to speak and everyone gets a chance to receive.
I often wonder what it was like to sit around the table with Jesus. Oh the joy, the love and the words of wisdom He would bring! The bible tells us many times that Jesus loved to sit with people, be in their company and also teach important lessons. The story of Mary and Martha is one such lesson. Where Martha is busy getting everything done and ready, complains to Jesus about her sister Mary who is not helping with the work but was enjoying Jesus’ company. But Jesus rebuked her, as Mary’s choice was different to Martha’s.
Are we too busy doing ‘stuff’ to spend time, enjoy the company and build into the relationships of those closest to us, the people God has given us to love and to raise? Even though Martha’s work needed to be done, what Mary did was more important. Relationship, love, connection is what is most important.
So why don’t you try it?! Get around your table. Bring your loved ones around the table. Tune out the world even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Make it a priority and watch your family relationships strengthen as you make time to talk and listen to each other around your table!
Written by Kady Adair
Kady is married to Matiu and they have three children, they are both on team at Kingdomcity in Perth.