The Sacred Table

Scripture: Proverbs 1:8-9; Titus 2:3-5

Remember the warmth of your grandmother's kitchen? I do.

The sweet aroma of her famous cake filling the air, the laughter of your aunts echoing around the room, and the comforting clatter of dishes as stories unfolded around the table.

For Black women, the kitchen table has always been more than just a place to eat. It's a sacred space, a haven where generations converge, where wisdom is passed down like a precious heirloom, and where the bonds of community are woven tight.

I’ll never forget graduating from college and coming home, being welcomed to the table. My great-grandmother had long passed but I made it! I was a grown woman, officially invited. Old enough to laugh, listen, learn, and have my own cup of coffee.

Proverbs reminds us, "Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."  Our mothers, grandmothers, and aunts – OUR matriarchs of Our families – have carried a wealth of knowledge, resilience, and faith. Their stories, their laughter, their tears, and their triumphs have shaped us into the women we are today.

The kitchen table was our classroom. We learned about life, love, and loss. We learned about strength, perseverance, and the unwavering power of prayer. We learned about the importance of sisterhood, of lifting each other up, and of celebrating our unique beauty and power.

Titus 2 echoes this sentiment, urging older women to "teach what is good...to encourage the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

To get an education, a good job. To be independent and trustworthy as to not have to depend on anyway but God himself. This generational exchange of wisdom ensures that the values and traditions of our community are preserved and passed on.

Challenge:
 * Create your own kitchen table:  Even if you don't have a physical kitchen table, create a space – physical or virtual – where you can gather with the women in your life. Share stories, offer encouragement, and build each other up.
 * Seek out the wisdom of your elders:  Spend time with your mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and other older women in your community.  Listen to their stories, learn from their experiences, and cherish their guidance.
 * Become a mentor:  Share your own wisdom and experiences with younger women. Offer encouragement, support, and guidance as they navigate the challenges of life.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the gift of community and the wisdom of our elders. Help us to cherish these relationships and to continue the legacy of love and support that has been passed down to us.  Empower us to be sources of strength and encouragement to one another, and to build a community where all Black women feel loved, valued, and supported. Amen.