She said YES {Neighbor’s Table}
Before Hope Spoken kicked off, Sarah of Neighbors Table gathered the speakers around her backyard table for dinner. From the moment I walked into Sarah’s backyard I felt warmly welcomed. She is a master at gathering people and inviting them in – everyone belongs at her table. As we ate dinner, neighbors walked past in the alley behind her house. She knew each person that walked by and greeted then with a sincere hello.
Danielle Burkleo | Anna Leisemeyer | Meg Duerksen | Casey Weigand | Me | Jen Lula | Ruth Simons | Emily Anderson | Stephanie Holden | Lynsey Kramer
The table was beautiful and the women surrounding it so normal, yet wonderfully inspiring too. However, one of the most wonderful parts of the evening was that she served us chicken spaghetti that she purchased because a busy work day meant she didn’t have time to cook. I also loved that the grass was not mowed and things didn’t look pristine. She loved and welcomed us – she showed us hospitality. She also removed excuses for having others over – excuses like “I’m too busy to cook” (or I can’t cook). Excuses like “my yard isn’t big enough or pretty enough”. Though the table was stunning and her yard perfectly imperfect, it was the ‘normal’ that made it feel like there was a place at the table for me.
In 2012, Sarah set a goal to serve 500 people around her table. Her father built her a table big enough for 20 people and she began inviting others. In the last three years, she has welcomed nearly 1,600 people around her table! It is hard for me to even wrap my mind around that – and she has a separate full time job. Sarah hosts simple dinners, fancy dinners, pot-luck dinners. The main thing is she says YES to inviting others in and YES to building community.
Sarah showed me love in action in a community. It was beautiful to witness.
One evening around Sarah’s table and I am dreaming of getting two in my backyard (my family nearly takes up 1!). I’m thinking two long tables nestled under my apple trees with twinkling lights above….and filling those benches with new and old friends. Building community and welcoming others in only needs a willing yes. It doesn’t take gourmet food or fancy plates. It can be pot-luck or pizza on paper towels. It just takes a YES. I’m thankful for the chance to meet Sarah. I’m thankful she chooses to say YES. I’m thankful she is inspiring me to do the same.
