Day by Day
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. Come just as you are, bringing whatever is on your heart today. Take a few moments and allow yourself to just be. Take a couple deep breaths, grab yourself a cup of coffee, light a candle, do something that brings you comfort. Allow yourself to be present in this moment.
Consider how every goal set is achieved by taking it one day at a time.
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
- Howard Thurman, “The Work of Christmas”
Luke 16:10
Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones; whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Food for Thought
I have often found it overwhelming to set goals for myself, particularly long-term ones. I can remember being asked what I hoped to be doing in ten years, or what I imagined myself doing in five, but I really don’t like to think that far ahead. I am an in-the-moment kind of person. In some ways that is a great thing – I can become engrossed in a project I am working on until completion, and most often it is done well; I can be very present with people and am an attentive listener; and I deeply appreciate the beauty of things in my immediate surroundings. Wherever I am, I’m content to take it all in and just be.
As lovely as these things are, I can also get so wrapped up in a moment that I can miss an appointment or meeting that has been on my calendar for weeks, even one that I knew was supposed to happen that very day. I also struggle with long-term organizational strategies and what some would label executive functioning skills. Although with great intention I can manage these things well, it takes a great deal of energy for me.
In addition, whoever I’m with or the project I am working on becomes “the most important” one, which at times can make me a negligent communicator or facilitator with friends and family or projects that are at a distance. It isn’t that I don’t love them or care about them, but my attentions tend to be drawn to things that are immediately evident and necessary.
So, goals for the New Year? I’m never particularly excited to set them. But this year, I will attempt a new strategy.
As we move from the Christmas season into the new year, I am reminded of the wisdom of Howard Thurman, a former Dean of Marsh Chapel at Boston University. Thurman says that the work of Christmas begins in and through us – when the song of the angels is stilled – when all the fanfare and celebration has died down, and it is just us humbly going about our lives, living love, hope, peace, and joy into each moment as best we are able.
So my goal for the new year is to set a new intention each day with the hope that each day, something of my intention and purpose allows our world to move closer to recovery, healing, relief, freedom, restoration, peace, compassion, and sweet, sweet music: Today I will try to be more intentional about sharing kindness. Today I will be more intentional about cleaning up around me. Today I will pay someone an unexpected visit. Today I will send a gift or card to someone who might need an encouraging word. Today I will be more intentional about praying for my world. Today I will sing as often as I can.
They are resolutions for the new year, just done a day at a time. And for me, somehow, that feels more meaningful. Because, that is in fact how we live – a day, a moment, at a time – and I believe it is often how things change – a moment, a choice, at a time. It is most often in small things and in small ways that we can effect the most consistent and palpable change for ourselves, one another, and our world.
So perhaps my intention for this New Year, is to live out the work of Christmas the whole year through, more fully, day by day.
If New Year's resolutions are helpful to you, set yours for the year. For accountability throughout the year, consider telling a friend or writing it on a sticky note and placing that sticky note on your bathroom mirror.
If you’re having a hard time coming up with a resolution for the whole year, try this one: “Every day, I will do something to make this world a better place.” Then, each day, do one small thing to leave this world better than you found it.
For a printable version of today's reflection Click Here!
Blessing
God of each moment,
Be with us as we journey into the year before us – full of promise and possibility. Give us the courage to do the work of Christmas – to effect change as only we can.
Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
Talk together about what goals you are considering for the new year (are those daily goals or long term goals?, etc.).
What are some things you hope to accomplish this year?
List out a few ways that you can hold each other accountable, or creative ways for holding yourself accountable throughout the year.
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Talk with your kiddos about what is exciting them in the new year.
Ask them to share something (or some things) they are hoping to achieve this year (maybe it’s riding a bike, maybe it’s learning a new hobby).
Have them write a list of steps for how they plan to achieve that goal. Then talk about how you can work toward those steps each day.
Meet Our Welcoming Voice!
The Welcome Table Team – We are “The Bunce Girls!” Originally from Lexington, North Carolina, we were raised surrounded by music, justice, and faith. We spent most of our Sunday afternoons gathered around an open table with family and friends where the food was plentiful, stories and laughter connected our hearts, and where the presence of each individual was held sacred. It’s those moments that have inspired The Welcome Table.
To hear more from TWT Team throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!
Here are Five Things to Remember When Setting Your Own Welcome Table!