Daily Devotions - Thursday, October 30

Table Fellowship

“We need not climb the mountain to see into the valley.
All things to be seen can be found in a simple shared bowl of rice.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull), p. 159

This last week in October, I have chosen to share with you a few stories from my experiences in Rwanda. We continue to integrate the quote of Buscaglia with some table talk from meals shared with brothers and sisters in Africa.

Half way through our experience we had an evening cocktail hour. All the leaders of various organizations were invited to join us at the hotel where we had open discussions about their work and life in Rwanda. Needless to say, as the evening progressed and folks began to “loosen up”, some rather interesting stories emerged. At one point I suggested to one of the Rwandese that, while people appeared joyful on the outside, I sensed a lot of personal pain was being covered up. The person began to weep and, after gathering their emotions, I heard the following words: “Thank you for asking. We smile on the outside, but we cry on the inside. I needed to cry. Thank you.”

When we gather around table with others and share a bowl of rice, we can enter into the depths of each other's lives and develop bonds that will last for a life time. May your day be blessed with some good table fellowship.

Ben Keckler
10.30.08