Stories Behind the Gathering Table
This blog is a place where story and table meet.
The Gathering Table was not created from a business plan alone, but from lived experience—seasons of gathering and seasons of letting go, moments of abundance and moments of limitation. The stories shared here come from real life: family, faith, work, hospitality, grief, joy, and the ongoing learning that happens when you try to make room for others while navigating change yourself.
Over time, these personal stories began to shape a deeper conviction—that presence matters more than perfection, that hospitality is about people more than presentation, and that meaningful connection often happens in the most ordinary, imperfect spaces. This blog exists to explore those convictions honestly.
Some posts are reflections on family and tradition. Others are rooted in faith, community, or the practical realities of building a place centered on welcome. Together, they tell the story of how The Gathering Table came to be—and what continues to guide it: authenticity, generosity, and the belief that shared space can become sacred ground.
Whether you are here because you love gatherings, are walking through a season of change, or are simply longing for a place that feels welcoming and real, you are invited to pull up a chair. There is room at the table.
The Shape of a Table—and the Shape of Our Conversations
What if the shape of a table affects the shape of our conversations? A reflection on family meals, round tables, and creating spaces where everyone belongs.
Why Team Building Matters to Me
Teamwork has been at the center of my life for a long time — from campus ministry to classrooms, to watching my own kids on teams. I’ve seen over and over that real collaboration doesn’t happen by accident; it’s built on trust, understanding, and how we show up for one another under pressure. I shared more of that story on the blog today.
🌿What the Ducks Know
Watching our ducks make their way to the water has become a daily reminder that direction doesn’t always require sight. This reflection explores what it means to be guided—call by call, step by step—without knowing exactly where the path leads.
When There Is No Room (and Why That Might Be Enough)
This is the fourth post in our blog series sharing the heart and vision behind The Gathering Table. This week, I’m writing about a quieter Christmas—one without all the decorations, but full of presence, acceptance, and grace. It turns out that what the manger teaches us is still true: not fancy can still be enough.
Making Room for Christmas
God has a way of nudging us to see the people right in front of us. This Christmas, I’m learning to listen — even when life feels full and overwhelming. Here’s my story.
Widening the Table: What Thanksgiving Has Taught Me About Belonging
Some of the most important lessons don’t happen in classrooms.
They happen at tables.
This week I shared a Thanksgiving story I’ve carried for years — about tradition, humility, and learning to make room. 🤍🍽️
🌿Hospitality with Heart: Learning True Generosity in Honduras
A story from Honduras that taught us what true hospitality looks like — and how it inspires everything we do at The Gathering Table.