I’ve always loved getting ready for a gathering in our home, but I am finding that it feels more important than ever these days. Dear friends are coming over for dinner tonight, and it is anything but a fancy deal. There’s no need to show off or impress anyone, and yet preparing for them and our evening together matters. There are only four of us, but it took me most of the day. Not because there was so much work to do, or a need to get it right. It was simply a life-giving way to spend the day. Planning and cooking the meal, setting the table, laying a fire, lighting the candles, uncorking the wine feel like a gathering of sacred tasks. Each one a holy reminder that we belong to one another, come what may.
There’s no getting around it. These are some weird times. Plenty of fear, anger, uncertainty, and overwhelm to go around. Forces, human and otherwise, are working to keep us apart, and people are starving for community and connection. Gathering people together in our homes to share good food around our tables is one small way to feed our hungry souls.
