The Lifegiving Table

I'm not someone would you would describe as having grown up in the kitchen, so it's taken me years and years to get to the point where I am somewhat consistent about making food for my family.It still feels like an effort to put most meals together, but what this book helped me realize is how much more the effort pays off when you make it a point to gather around a table to eat it together. It's much more fulfilling for me to sit down and eat some pasta with my family if I spend an extra five minutes getting the table set, rather than what we used to do, which was stand around the kitchen and shovel it in our mouths right from the pot. I'm all about casual dining, but I learned how much that approach can undermine any thought or effort I've put into a meal.I think the author manages to convey that yes, it does require more effort and intentionality to prepare a table (a "lifegiving table"), but the payout from that will eventually become apparent.

I have young kids, and dinners around our table are often chaotic and loud, and I am exhausted and just want to eat quietly and without fussing at the kids, or the kids fussing at each other. Sally Clarkson makes me feel that 1) I am not alone in this, 2) it won't always be that way, and 3) I can steer the tone of the dinner so that it gives me life instead of drains it.Sally Clarkson has a way with making you feel that you are capable of having a Lifegiving Table. She knows that every home looks different than hers, but she is able to give practical hints on how to make the dinner table a place that breathes life into all who sit around it. She gives a glimpse of her own mealtimes, and then gives other ideas on how that might look around your own table.The best part is that you know you can do it. It takes effort and thought, yes, but it is not out of reach. And any table, no matter how chipped or worn, or even not a table at all! can be one that gives life into those who gather around. Conversations start and hearts are formed for God in the every day moments around the dinner table. I have already noticed a difference in the way we commune at the table, and it has been nice (I've only been trying some ideas in the book for a few days now).There are even some recipes that are simple, and yet delicious. I've tried out a few already.

I've had the privilege of previewing the first four chapters of this book. My hard copy will arrive in the mail today. I am always delighted to read another Sally Clarkson book and have yet to be disappointed. This book came at just the right time in my life. I needed the inspiration and the challenge Sally so wonderfully gives through her wisdom, her vision, and her stories. In this world of drive-thru lines, take-out, and pizza delivery I am reminded of the value in laying out a beautiful meal for my family. And it's not just the physical health benefits. This book is about the hearts and souls sitting at our tables and how we can minister, encourage, disciple, and love while we feed them. This book is a beautiful guide in how we can use meals to daily partake in leaning in toward one another in relationship. It's a practical guide with Biblical and spiritual philosophy. Included in the pages are passages of scripture to read and questions to help you dig deeper into the topics, ideas to help you bring life to your table, and recipes. I will warn you though. Don't read on an empty stomach. Sally includes favorite family recipes sprinkled throughout the pages and I found myself hankering for an aromatic homemade soup at 11pm. I'm so looking forward to giving some recipes a try and I can see this book becoming a staple for our family culture and legacy.

The Lifegiving Table: Nurturing Faith through Feasting, One Meal at a Time by Sally Clarkson is the much anticipated sequel to her previous book The Lifegiving Home. This book extends the great work she started in the previous one, showing how the table can be the center of a nurturing home where all family members are showered with love and children are discipled in daily life. If you have heard Sally speak in the past, you may have heard her talk about some of her favorite recipes. This book includes some of her most beloved recipes with ideas how to use them in your own home. I love how Sally shares her gifts of hospitality and how practical and simple she makes hospitality for her readers. I rarely read numerous nonfiction books by an author and I rarely purchase hard copies of books these days. But I have deeply enjoyed many books by this author, and this one does not disappoint! Also, I am so glad that I purchased a hard copy of this book so that I can use it frequently in my kitchen. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to create a loving home that welcomes all who enter. All of Sally Clarkson’s books are worth savoring and revisiting often. Buy this book! You will not regret it.

I'd be hard pressed to identify another author more influential in the development of our family culture than Sally Clarkson. Each of her books have a special spot on my shelf, every one dog-eared and annotated, read and re-read, tear-stained and tea-stained. The original Lifegiving Home book opened my eyes to the many ways we as wives, mamas, and friends can breathe life into those around us, using our home as a jumping off point. The Lifegiving Table speaks the language of my heart--food and discipleship. I want my home, my table, to lead those who live there--eat there--to Jesus.Sally shows us, through a beautiful balance of anecdotes, practical advice, theological application, and (of course) recipes, how to incorporate lifegiving elements into our daily rhythms around the table. I can't wait to dig deeper and begin to apply her wonderful suggestions. As a mom of three little boys, I know that the table is definitely a place where I have their attention; three times a day (plus snacks), I can pour truth into their little hearts and have them listen--because they're chewing and can't drown me out! ;)After all, Jesus was the bread of life, the living water; he feasted with his disciples, and with sinners just like us. He calls us to His table, and fills us up with his Truth.

I long to have a home that is a haven of peace and sanctuary for my family and for others. But with five children in the family, it often feels a long way from peaceful! Recently, I have felt really convicted that mealtimes were a source of stress, both for me and the fussier eaters amongst the family. I knew it was in my power to do something to change this and felt drawn to this book to encourage and inspire me to turn our meal table from a source of conflict and stress to a 'Life Giving Table'.In the book, Clarkson reminds us that mealtimes were often significant in the life and ministry of Jesus. He wasn't worried about the 'right' ways of doing things at mealtimes, but he embraced the opportunities they gave him to teach and to share in the lives of others. She shows many different ways in which we can make the most of our own family mealtimes. I was particularly motivated to think about the family culture we build around our meal table and I have a renewed desire to ensure all the family feel a sense of belonging there.I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wants to reflect more on how they can share the love of Jesus by serving others at their table.

This book is a mix of inspirational and practical. Reading it left me feeling both refreshed and eager to rise to the challenge of better using my table for discipleship

Sally's books are so lifegiving and they really encourage me as a believer, wife and mama. This book is a gem!

I love Sally's books (and have met her in person - she's amazing!) but this is her best yet. She mixes the practical with the spiritual and gives the seasoned mentoring advice that we all desperately so need and want from these years in the trenches of young motherhood having raised 4 adult children who now follow Christ faithfully. She blends challenge with compassion and encouragement - it's a perfect mix to get you inspired and feeling enabled to make things happen in your home. The recipes are yummy (I got to test a few as part of her launch team - no, they didn't pay me but who needs encouragement to cook things like cinnamon rolls, amazing, warming soups and roasts?) but the theology and encouragement and inspiration is even better. This book would make an awesome gift for a Mum you wanted to encourage but get 2 copies because you'll want to keep it! BTW, she has a great podcast, "At Home with Sally" and they're doing a book club style discussion and study on the principles in this book starting October 2017 (Episodes 104 onwards, I believe) so you can get even more out of this book if you love it!

Wonderful book that gives me ideas on how to nurture my family and friends at my table!