Come and Crowd My Table . . . Everyone Belongs
This goes out to all my people. Good people who have invaded my life with laughter and love and friendship. This goes out to my people who long for community and hope and connection.
Over the past several years, my connections and my circle have shifted significantly. Some of this is certainly of my own doing, some of it is notably unfair, and some of it is just life - plain and simple.
I have often treaded through loneliness and loss, barely able to put one foot in the front of the other, alone. (I am so grateful for the handful of people who have stuck with me in the mess. I hope you know who you are. I love you all incredibly much.)
At the beginning of 2024, I wrote down several rather measurable goals and aspirations. One of these was to expand my community and relationships. I had no idea how this would come to be, but I decided to claim it and speak it into existence.
One of the things I did was join a group through my church. I had a fair amount of anxiety, given some experiences I have had in the past . . . and just, my life circumstances, in general. What I found was sincere people with real stories and genuine love. Good people. My people.
Interestingly, as I leaned full force with presence into the other goals on my list, new friendships have invaded my life. Relationships at my jobs and through my work are dynamic and so incredibly good. Pure and beautiful. Good people. My people.
A few weeks ago I started making a list of people that I didn’t know at the beginning of 2024. The list quickly grew to over 100 people. These are not just mere acquaintances. These are friendships marked by mutual love and care and being known, on one level or another. These are friendships of laughter and care. Good people. My people.
One of my new friends recently said it this way: “Sometimes you find wonderful friends in odd places. I have been blessed with some people I visit on Sundays. It’s a nice community. It’s not a church, but it feels like it.” I concur. Sundays are my favorite day and the community I have found is unlike any other.
I write this all just to say, I am grateful.
My word for 2025 year is “build.” I will comment more on this as time goes on, but I realized that I simply want to build on the miraculous ways that my goals of 2024 have come into being. And . . . There is still so much more.
The community aspect of this for my friendships, new and established, is to grow in depth. I want to know and care more. I want to spend more time with you. I want to tell you how much I appreciate you.
With all that is going on in this world, it is quite possible that we need the strength of community and friendship now more than ever.
And. In the midst of all of this positivity, I have to be real and honest.
I have a confession: My cynicism and self-protective tendencies all too often take a front seat. Last week I was basking in feelings of isolation. Today I entertained thoughts of whether or not I should ever trust anyone again.
Thankfully, these thoughts are *mostly* fleeting. Things I have read this week remind me that isolation is an illusion. What is REAL is the interconnectedness we can experience with the earth, with one another, with the spiritual realm, with the Kingdom of God, WITH GOD. I am learning to live in this space . . . It is often one step forward, two steps back, but I am learning. I am practicing this way of life. And I am learning to not shame myself for longing for deep connection. It is a key component of being human.
I discovered this song just this morning. And I am in love with it. (And I am continually envious of amazing lyricists!) How I long to welcome you to my crowded table where EVERYONE BELONGS. Everyone. Belongs.
(Brandi Carlile / Lori Mckenna / Natalie Nicole Hemby)
You can hold my hand
When you need to let go
I can be your mountain
When you're feeling valley-low
I can be your streetlight
Showing you the way home
You can hold my hand
When you need to let go
I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we're young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
If we want a garden
We're gonna have to sow the seed
Plant a little happiness
Let the roots run deep
If it's love that we give
Then it's love that we reap
If we want a garden
We're gonna have to sow the seed
Yeah I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we're young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
The door is always open
Your picture's on my wall
Everyone's a little broken
And everyone belongs
Yeah, everyone belongs
I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we're young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
And bring us back together when the day is done