Hello First on Fifth Friends!
I recently came across two headlines that gave me pause: “Is this the end of the dining room as we know it?” and “The Death of the Dining Room.” Some of my most fond memories involve sitting around a dining room table sharing a meal and fellowship with family and friends. I think about years of going to my great-grandparents’ house in Mississippi, being around the table my Bubba saved up for and ordered from Sears many years before and took such pride in (which now sits in my dining room) listening to the stories my great aunts and uncles and cousins would tell. There is a warmth and a sense of safety that accompanies these memories. Does the seemingly growing trend of homes with no formal dining spaces in lieu of more multifunctional spaces mean generations to come won’t have the same opportunities to make these types of memories?
At first, you might think so. I did. But then I thought about all the times I’ve gathered with family and friends around a living room or a back porch or in camping chairs in a driveway spaced out 6 feet. I thought about the woman I follow on Instagram (@hostinyourhome) who encourages and helps her followers to invite people into their homes, even though they don’t have the largest most decorated house or feel their homes aren’t spotless enough. I think about a boss I had one time whose mantra was, “People go where they feel prepared and cared for.” I’ve tried to hold on to this sentiment and be bold in hospitality but I admit that I do find myself hesitant to invite people into our home. I fall into the trap of thinking it’s not clean enough or is still missing that perfect piece of furniture that will just bring the whole room together.
Thankfully I have been reminded this summer by our supper clubs that it doesn’t matter if your house doesn’t look like the cover of House Beautiful, people appreciate being (and I would argue need to be) invited into your space and life. I have loved witnessing the ways in which these groups have welcomed fellow church members into their homes and lives. There have been meaningful conversations, ice cream buffets and build your own pizza nights! My hope is that these opportunities to gather together will always be a part of who we are at First on Fifth and that you will all take advantage of them. There really is nothing like gathering together with family and friends, old and new, whether around a dining room table or a breezy back porch to share a meal and conversation. We go where we feel prepared and cared for regardless of the size of the hom, room setup or state of neatness. Invite someone over this month for a meal and fellowship. My prayer is that you will find that these types of gatherings are truly holy times!
With love and peace,
Mary