Gratitude

By Simone Weber, CEO and Musical Missionary Table Grace Ministries



The bell jingles on the door as a patron enters Table Grace Cafe for the first time. Eddie is greeted with, “Welcome to Table Grace Café, would you like to volunteer or donate today?” Having never been through our doors before, Eddie didn’t quite know what to expect. He had heard of Table Grace, but didn’t even know that it could be for real. A place where he can give of his time in exchange for a healthy meal, fellowship, and an opportunity to be a part of something greater than himself. By the end of his hour at Table Grace, he wrote this note; “I want to thank you guys for helping feed us who are in need. You are appreciated greatly. Thank God for kind-hearted humans. Much Love; Eddie.” We see approximately 40-50 people per day through the doors of Table Grace; many do express their gratitude for the food, opportunity to serve, and music at Table Grace Café.


Gratitude to our Creator is woven into daily life. Being grateful for something as simple and profound as the breath we are given each day has power to open the pathway and awareness to how God is at work among us in the sometimes mundane, sometimes life transforming work happening.  Taking a moment to pause around the table to thank God for the food, fellowship, and community of Table Grace happens both spontaneously in individuals at Table Grace as well as around the prayer circles weekly and monthly during Music with a Mission and Worship opportunities.

Somewhere along the way, we adopted the practice of hand written thank you notes. In organizations, we all generate the letter that formerly thanks the donors for their generous donations of time and talent. Those have impact and meaning indeed. However, we have found that it is an important practice whenever possible to write a hand written thank you note to further express our deep appreciation for time, talent, and resources given. It is a simple discipline that seems to go a long way.

Last week after sharing music, and communion, we gathered in an oblong prayer circle that took up the entry path to the counter at Table Grace. One individual said he wasn’t interested in standing in the prayer circle because he needed to eat. However, when the circle prayer got to his side, he said, “Thank you, God, for Table Grace, for the amazing food, music, and people. This is the best part of my week.” He lives in a homeless shelter and comes to Table Grace weekly.

           We could not do what we do without all of your support, prayers, and partnership. Thank you! We would invite you to join us at Table Grace Café anytime Monday through Saturday for lunch.


Blessings. 



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