about feasting together

When I am afraid and when I listen to lies instead of to what's real, I feel like I can manage life on my own.  There is often this insecurity inside of me that whispers that I should hide myself from other people, out of fear that I may be uncovered, and after that, unwanted and disowned.

There is, however, this beating drum of truth that has reverberated through my life and has shaken me awake from that fear time and again - and that is the truth that we were made to give our lives to other people.  Belonging to the church, experiencing the goodness of community and of love from other people is not something I have coordinated much by my own doings. My sinful tendency is to run away.  But God has consistently blessed me by shepherding me towards, by giving me the joy of being known, even when I was too fearful to seek it out.

And so this weekend, I sat around a table celebrating the birth of the dearest friend, and looked at those in the room with tears in my eyes.  I am known.  I am known, and it is the best part of my life.

When you find those ones who fill you up and who know you, deep down to the farthest layers - stick with them.  And know them back.

Here's to other people, because I need you.

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Feast

We’ve managed to hold time steady -

no first breath taken, no death disturbs the night.

Our talking goes unmeasured, never ready

for silence, skin gilded in candlelight. 

Abundance lives around this table,

more than food, wine, and what can touch.

Day to day, we learn each other and grow able

to feast on words, of our delight make much.

It seems haphazard invitation,

to each within his seat,

to be known, to belong, to share this elation

of life, of not knowing who you’ll meet. 

Present eternity flickers in every sill

as we share that common space –

on what is unseen we take our fill,

and it's the deepest joy, the truest grace.