Gathered In A Sacred Place

So often, people say, “No matter how much space I have in my home, everyone always gathers in the kitchen.” For our family, that gathering place has always been our country kitchen—more specifically, this old table.

This photo shows it dressed up for Thanksgiving (I promise, it doesn’t always look this fancy!). Seeing it reminds me of cooking and decorating with my daughters, anticipating a day filled with good food and lively conversation. But the truth is, this table has seen far more than holiday feasts. Over the years it has held stacks of laundry during heart-to-hearts with my kids, been scattered with homework assignments and bills, hosted elegant dinner parties and messy birthday celebrations, craft days with friends, and even rained-out barbecues moved inside. Oh, the stories it could tell.

When I think of the countless people who have sat here—sharing meals, conversations, laughter, and even tears—my heart is full. Some of those beloved faces will never again sit at this table, and yet I treasure the memories of their presence. I think of nieces and nephews once kneeling on chairs to reach their plates, now bringing their own little ones. And I remember the quiet gratitude I felt as I shared the last weeks of dinners with my youngest before he left for college, knowing how much I’d miss seeing him across from me.

To gather means to come together, to bring in from scattered places. For us, this table has been that sacred gathering space—a place to be fully present, to listen, to laugh, to love. And I wonder: what are the gathering places in your life? Have you noticed the sacredness of the spaces where your stories unfold?