A frail old man went to live with his son. The family ate together at the table. But the grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. Milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son became irritated with the mess. So they set a small table in the corner where Grandfather ate alone from a wooden bowl that wouldn’t break.
When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. The four-year-old grandson watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, ‘What are you making?’ Just as sweetly, the boy responded, ‘Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.’
Though no word was spoken, the son knew what must be done. That evening the he took his father’s hand and gently led him back to the family table.
Have you made judgements about others within the body of Christ? Maybe someone you know has ‘dropped peas’ by drinking too much alcohol and you had to pick up the pieces. Maybe another has spilled milk by talking about you behind your back and you had to clean up the rumors. Have you made a table for them in the corner of your heart, where they can no longer bother you ... and there, they eat alone?
Today is a good day to invite them back to the table, back to the fellowship of God's family. Foster an attitude of grace for them and for yourself.
We may not all agree on the exact same theology or church policy. Still, as God’s children, we can love and be unified enough to be able to break bread together at the same table ... as the family of God.