It's hard to live out a faith in our daily lives, but sometimes an opportunity comes that's so obvious and yet so easily missed.
Chris coaches the elementary basketball team, and Caroline and William both play. We have several players that wouldn't be able to play if Chris didn't get them to and from practice and games. Most game days we have them just ride the bus home with our children.
Last week we had a game on Thursday. I was in the middle of an intense course; I knew there would be lots of homework; and everyone was tired. That morning I put together a spaghetti casserole in the crock pot and headed off to the grocery store for paper plates, garlic bread and gatorade. I was just going to serve it quickly and get through the night. Weaving through the aisles I realized that this was an opportunity to live out the Eucharistic theology I love so much. So, I passed up the cheap paper plates, color coordinated cups, napkins, and plates and went home.
Every Sunday I set the table for Eucharist at three services. I love doing this; it is a very special, humbling and sacred time for me. At home, I decided to set the dining room table for these children with as much reverence as I do each Sunday. I wanted to serve these children with as much care as I would anyone else that came to our home. I set the table with a color coordinating pattern, set candles out and got ready for the children.
The children all gathered around the table; I lit the candles; we held hands and said the blessing. Each child brought something to the table--we had humor, compassion, sensitivity, seriousness, fun, and a lot of love. As I looked around, I thought this is the same thing as the communion table--a place where we all are equal, where we all are worthy, where we all are children of God in our similarities and in our difference. I hope they felt it too.
