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The Lifegiving Table: Nurturing Faith through Feasting, One Meal at a Time
Make your table a place where your family and friends long to be―where they will find rest, renewal, and a welcome full of love.
Beloved author Sally Clarkson ( The Lifegiving Home, Own Your Life, Desperate ) believes that meals lovingly served at home―and the time spent gathered together around the table―are a much-needed way to connect more deeply with our families and open our kids’ hearts. Food and faith, mingled in everyday life, become the combination for passing on God’s love to each person who breaks bread with us.
In The Lifegiving Table , Sally shares her own family stories, favorite recipes, and practical ideas to help you get closer to the people you love . . . and grow in faith together.
Beloved author Sally Clarkson ( The Lifegiving Home, Own Your Life, Desperate ) believes that meals lovingly served at home―and the time spent gathered together around the table―are a much-needed way to connect more deeply with our families and open our kids’ hearts. Food and faith, mingled in everyday life, become the combination for passing on God’s love to each person who breaks bread with us.
In The Lifegiving Table , Sally shares her own family stories, favorite recipes, and practical ideas to help you get closer to the people you love . . . and grow in faith together.
272 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2017
290 people are currently reading
3763 people want to read
About the author
Sally Clarkson
58 books1,668 followersFrom working on college campuses, to sharing the Gospel behind the Iron Curtain as a missionary, traveling around the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia to speak on discipleship, Sally Clarkson has tenaciously sought after God's kingdom, and has used her ministry to encourage others to do the same. From her best-selling books such as Own Your Life, Desperate (with Sarah Mae), and her latest, The Lifegiving Home, Sally has shared from her heart and home about the value of motherhood and the potential for home to cultivate life, love, and faith. In 1995, She and her husband Clay founded Whole Heart Ministries, which has encouraged thousands of families around the world in discipling their children
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March 10, 2018
I loved Sally Clarkson's "The Ministry of Motherhood" and "The Mission of Motherhood," having read them when my children were small. I loved the way they valued a mother's influence and work in the lives of her children.
I hadn't read anything by Sally Clarkson in a long while, and my relationship with my adult child is changing - to one more of hospitality than of teaching and influence. So, I when I saw this book, I grabbed it. However, it also has to do with creating traditions of hospitality within a home while the children are younger, to create ties for them to want to return.
I have always wished I had the gift of hospitality, because my grandma did and I saw how beautiful it was. She had the ability to make everyone feel comfortable and important to her. At her 90th birthday party, she had over 70 friends arrive. (My husband was busy playing valet and parking their cars for them in the field.) Every single one of those people thought that they were my grandma's best friend. But of course, I was really her favorite. Just kidding. But, she had the ability to make people feel loved, through hospitality, and that was something I've always valued and wanted to be able to do, but I never had the knack of making people feel relaxed and as deeply loved as she did.
Honestly, for a book on hospitality, I prefer Dee Brestin's "A Woman of Hospitality," that I read a long time ago. It gets to the heart of the matter in a more simple, do-able way, at least for me. The first seven chapters of "The Lifegiving Table" made me almost feel like crying. There is no way I could do all that, or even desire to do so. The 8th chapter, about going simpler in more chaotic times, made more sense to me. I must live that way - chaotic. ;-)
Another concern I have over the book is not just its do-ability for me, but if I actually could do all that regularly for my family, I'd end up as round as a butterball. Wait, maybe I'm already as round as a butterball, but I'd be even rounder. The woman even travels with a china teacup and various supplies in her suitcase in case anyone needs the emotional lift of a tea-time!
I was shocked to discover that the average family dinner has gone from 90 minutes to 12 minutes within the last 20 years. I would say that ours is somewhere between those two extremes. My husband guessed they last about 30 minutes, but sometimes we do linger and talk longer, maybe an hour. It depends a lot, of course, about the kids' homework responsibilities or activities in a given day.
I am concerned about some of the authors that Sally Clarkson reads and quotes, although she does well to include Biblical examples and reference to eating while teaching, eating for community, eating while discipling, etc.
I like the association of the verse, "O taste and see that the LORD is good!" (Psalm 34:8, NASB) with hospitality, because I always think, "Well, if you think this treat tastes good, then know that God tastes even better!" Somewhere along the way, I got an apron with that verse on it, and all the kids can quote it. There is something about seeing a glimmer of the goodness of God in not only tasting a treat, but receiving generosity, and feeling His loving welcome.
We bring in a news article or snippet of something to discuss with the kids at the table sometimes, too. Sometimes it's an article about an important topic, drugs for example, but other times, it's just to see their different reactions and opinions on something interesting.
I liked the idea that Sally had each of her children think of a question they could ask a guest, before each arrival. My own mom had us think of something interesting to our guest that we could talk about with him or her. Probably having both a topic in mind and a question is a good practice for kids. I laughed with my own kids, though, telling them it could be dangerous to let younger children loose to ask questions. They might unintentionally come up with some rude ones. But, I can see how the practice in general would help the guest feel included and welcome.
With a family mix of both introverts and extroverts, I could see the wisdom in this quote: "The goal was to honor the extroverts with a listening ear and gift the introverts with space enough for their words to be heard."
Sally Clarkson brought up a point that has puzzled me for a long while. She talks about how the act of refreshing others ends up refreshing herself. That is more or less a paraphrase of Proverbs 11:25b, "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." But I don't feel refreshed after hosting. I feel worn out and depleted. I think part of it is, for me, that I'm an introvert. I might enjoy time with others and treasure it to look back on, but it leaves me feeling overly-tired. And another part might be that there isn't any time-table or method given for the refreshment of the one refreshing others. It could be from invitations in return, or it could be in heaven. But that the act of hosting and refreshing others could somehow refresh me leaves me feeling a bit ... mystified.
The idea of the parents doing a Sunday devotional with the kids seemed ok. But like most everything else in this book, we had a different pattern and rhythm. Not better or worse. Just another option. We usually have either a discussion topic or else read from the Bible with them, and discuss that, throughout the week, and Sundays, we take a day off from that, and figure it's the preacher's turn. ;-) If we really want them to focus on what was said at church, we don't try to add yet another theme or lesson for the day, but just go around and have each person say what they learned in their classes. Usually, it's a pretty brief report, but it's there, and it keeps them thinking about it longer than just while they're in the church doors.
Sally also mentioned how for her, and for many families, the husband is so often at work, that he can't prepare or lead dinnertime devotions throughout the week. Ours are usually so laid back that they don't really take any preparation. We just read something and talk about it. Currently, we are reading through the book of Acts. If we want to do something more in-depth or time consuming, we do it in the summers when the kids have more time away from school. And the way that I get my husband to participate is simple. I hand him the Bible, and he generally does something with it. The action is supportive, encouraging, and respectful without being demanding or intrusive. We keep the Bible in a nook by the kitchen table, within easy reach.
At their birthdays, the rest of the Clarksons would speak words of affirmation over whoever had the birthday. If my kids were younger, I might institute that. It's a nice addition to the day. I tend to write them words of affirmation randomly throughout the year instead. I'd first heard of this practice as a negative one of surrounding someone and each saying something positive about them as "love-bombing," something that cults did to draw in love-starved people. But, I participated myself with this sort of affirmation at one youth camp where I helped chaperon. I think it was meaningful to the kids. I remember one boy, in particular, whom I told that I'd noticed he was responsible, that if I asked him for help with something, he'd get it done. And in fact, when it came to distributing candy, I told him that I'd chosen him for the task because I knew he was responsible and that everyone would get some. My words really seemed to make a difference to him. I could tell, just by the look in his eyes, that he liked being relied upon.
I realize that this can be misused, like a cult using flattery to draw people in, but words of affirmation can also be a powerful way to encourage and build people up.
I chose to have the conversation with the kids one night at dinner where they talked about what kinds of words and phrases make a conversation pleasant or unpleasant. I thought it was an appropriate dinner talk to have because it seemed like a few days prior, one had been abrupt with another.
Sally talked about having our sensors out to see where there was a need that someone had to be encouraged. Amen. A large part of encouraging someone is noticing that they need to be encouraged to begin with. And I heard a quote somewhere that said something to the effect of, "If someone's breathing, then they need encouragement."
I have a different option for the Family Day Celebration that they did, where they feasted and then remembered their family history with God and His blessings over the year. They did it in August before the school years started. We sort-of sometimes do that at Thanksgiving with extended family. I like turning it into a game, where everyone writes down one thing they're thankful for, and the rest of the family tries to figure out who wrote what. ... But, actually, among just our household, we "celebrate" something closer to the Clarksons Family Day on January 1st. We have a blue jar labeled "Answered Prayers," and we begin the New Year by reading the scraps of paper we entered in it throughout the year, the ways that God has answered our prayers.
I liked the section on how to heal a friendship, how to bring reconciliation. After several other suggestions are exhausted, I liked this quote, "A friendship is a precious thing, not to be lightly discarded. But if the misunderstanding persists, the best advise I can give is to do this: 1) do your best to be a peace maker, and 2) to entrust people to God."
Favorite quotes:
"An untabled faith is an unstable faith." - Leonard Sweet
"Everybody stop! Take a deep breath, and think about Jesus." - Joy, Sally's daughter, in her childhood, during an argument at the table.
"When we thank God for a meal, we are decisively turning our hearts away from focusing just on our own needs to focusing on the Giver of the good gifts we are about to enjoy."
"Sharing spiritually from open hearts around a table almost never happens unless someone in the group is intentional and initiating."
"Yet the sacrifice [of serving a meal] is wasted if the attitude of serving is self-concerned and complaining in nature." I can get so tired that I feel complainy.
"I picture that I am nourishing souls and spirits with both physical food and the everlasting food of the Word of God." I have thought that before, that the two things I like to do are to nourish spirits with God's Word, and to nourish hearts with physical food - particularly providing a meal to someone in crisis.
"Relationship is at the heart of all influence, good and bad. When people feel loved and accepted, affirmed and believed in, they are more willing to receive the messages we feel are important to share."
"But knowing that they [Sally Clarkson's adult children] can come home for a dose of comfort (and comfort food) helps keep them fighting, or so they have told me."
"Beauty in our homes lifts the spirits of all who live or visit there."
"When this longing [to belong] is met within a home culture - where kids feel happy, loved, secure, needed, and valued - then this culture will have the greatest influence on the values those kids develop."
"So they return home, to deep roots, whenever they can, just to experience that kind of fellowship once again."
"Yet it was in the context of these times [family dinners] that our children learned over time and with a certain amount of duress, how to develop social skills that took into consideration the feelings of others."
"Time after time we taught our children not to let anger fester, but to seek peace instead."
"But a family culture is being built even when progress is hard to see. Keep the conversation going."
"Establishing the dinner table as a place of discussion fosters an environment where truth is sought through dialogue, graciousness is taught and upheld, and convictions are formed."
"Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone." - Colossians 4:6
"Never stop teaching, training, and pouring into your children because you think they aren't listening. Patience reveals investment."
"Once, when asked why she was still a Christian, my daughter Sarah said, 'Because of pecan French toast with butter and syrup.'"
"No one likes to feel forced to talk about anything, particularly the gospel and spiritual matters. I know I certainly don't. And yet so many well-intentioned Christians end up driving people away from possible connection because of pressured conversations."
"One of my professors in college used to say, 'Laughter is the first form of acceptance.'"
"Celebration is one of the most effective weapons we have against the darkness of our day... When we celebrate, however, we proclaim the fact that there is still good in the world because God is still faithful."
"The foundation of all blessing comes from a knowledge that God is the ultimate source of all grace, favor, and strength."
"Availability in attitude and time has been the key to opening deeper relationships among us."
"So encourage and build each other up, just as you are already doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
I hadn't read anything by Sally Clarkson in a long while, and my relationship with my adult child is changing - to one more of hospitality than of teaching and influence. So, I when I saw this book, I grabbed it. However, it also has to do with creating traditions of hospitality within a home while the children are younger, to create ties for them to want to return.
I have always wished I had the gift of hospitality, because my grandma did and I saw how beautiful it was. She had the ability to make everyone feel comfortable and important to her. At her 90th birthday party, she had over 70 friends arrive. (My husband was busy playing valet and parking their cars for them in the field.) Every single one of those people thought that they were my grandma's best friend. But of course, I was really her favorite. Just kidding. But, she had the ability to make people feel loved, through hospitality, and that was something I've always valued and wanted to be able to do, but I never had the knack of making people feel relaxed and as deeply loved as she did.
Honestly, for a book on hospitality, I prefer Dee Brestin's "A Woman of Hospitality," that I read a long time ago. It gets to the heart of the matter in a more simple, do-able way, at least for me. The first seven chapters of "The Lifegiving Table" made me almost feel like crying. There is no way I could do all that, or even desire to do so. The 8th chapter, about going simpler in more chaotic times, made more sense to me. I must live that way - chaotic. ;-)
Another concern I have over the book is not just its do-ability for me, but if I actually could do all that regularly for my family, I'd end up as round as a butterball. Wait, maybe I'm already as round as a butterball, but I'd be even rounder. The woman even travels with a china teacup and various supplies in her suitcase in case anyone needs the emotional lift of a tea-time!
I was shocked to discover that the average family dinner has gone from 90 minutes to 12 minutes within the last 20 years. I would say that ours is somewhere between those two extremes. My husband guessed they last about 30 minutes, but sometimes we do linger and talk longer, maybe an hour. It depends a lot, of course, about the kids' homework responsibilities or activities in a given day.
I am concerned about some of the authors that Sally Clarkson reads and quotes, although she does well to include Biblical examples and reference to eating while teaching, eating for community, eating while discipling, etc.
I like the association of the verse, "O taste and see that the LORD is good!" (Psalm 34:8, NASB) with hospitality, because I always think, "Well, if you think this treat tastes good, then know that God tastes even better!" Somewhere along the way, I got an apron with that verse on it, and all the kids can quote it. There is something about seeing a glimmer of the goodness of God in not only tasting a treat, but receiving generosity, and feeling His loving welcome.
We bring in a news article or snippet of something to discuss with the kids at the table sometimes, too. Sometimes it's an article about an important topic, drugs for example, but other times, it's just to see their different reactions and opinions on something interesting.
I liked the idea that Sally had each of her children think of a question they could ask a guest, before each arrival. My own mom had us think of something interesting to our guest that we could talk about with him or her. Probably having both a topic in mind and a question is a good practice for kids. I laughed with my own kids, though, telling them it could be dangerous to let younger children loose to ask questions. They might unintentionally come up with some rude ones. But, I can see how the practice in general would help the guest feel included and welcome.
With a family mix of both introverts and extroverts, I could see the wisdom in this quote: "The goal was to honor the extroverts with a listening ear and gift the introverts with space enough for their words to be heard."
Sally Clarkson brought up a point that has puzzled me for a long while. She talks about how the act of refreshing others ends up refreshing herself. That is more or less a paraphrase of Proverbs 11:25b, "He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." But I don't feel refreshed after hosting. I feel worn out and depleted. I think part of it is, for me, that I'm an introvert. I might enjoy time with others and treasure it to look back on, but it leaves me feeling overly-tired. And another part might be that there isn't any time-table or method given for the refreshment of the one refreshing others. It could be from invitations in return, or it could be in heaven. But that the act of hosting and refreshing others could somehow refresh me leaves me feeling a bit ... mystified.
The idea of the parents doing a Sunday devotional with the kids seemed ok. But like most everything else in this book, we had a different pattern and rhythm. Not better or worse. Just another option. We usually have either a discussion topic or else read from the Bible with them, and discuss that, throughout the week, and Sundays, we take a day off from that, and figure it's the preacher's turn. ;-) If we really want them to focus on what was said at church, we don't try to add yet another theme or lesson for the day, but just go around and have each person say what they learned in their classes. Usually, it's a pretty brief report, but it's there, and it keeps them thinking about it longer than just while they're in the church doors.
Sally also mentioned how for her, and for many families, the husband is so often at work, that he can't prepare or lead dinnertime devotions throughout the week. Ours are usually so laid back that they don't really take any preparation. We just read something and talk about it. Currently, we are reading through the book of Acts. If we want to do something more in-depth or time consuming, we do it in the summers when the kids have more time away from school. And the way that I get my husband to participate is simple. I hand him the Bible, and he generally does something with it. The action is supportive, encouraging, and respectful without being demanding or intrusive. We keep the Bible in a nook by the kitchen table, within easy reach.
At their birthdays, the rest of the Clarksons would speak words of affirmation over whoever had the birthday. If my kids were younger, I might institute that. It's a nice addition to the day. I tend to write them words of affirmation randomly throughout the year instead. I'd first heard of this practice as a negative one of surrounding someone and each saying something positive about them as "love-bombing," something that cults did to draw in love-starved people. But, I participated myself with this sort of affirmation at one youth camp where I helped chaperon. I think it was meaningful to the kids. I remember one boy, in particular, whom I told that I'd noticed he was responsible, that if I asked him for help with something, he'd get it done. And in fact, when it came to distributing candy, I told him that I'd chosen him for the task because I knew he was responsible and that everyone would get some. My words really seemed to make a difference to him. I could tell, just by the look in his eyes, that he liked being relied upon.
I realize that this can be misused, like a cult using flattery to draw people in, but words of affirmation can also be a powerful way to encourage and build people up.
I chose to have the conversation with the kids one night at dinner where they talked about what kinds of words and phrases make a conversation pleasant or unpleasant. I thought it was an appropriate dinner talk to have because it seemed like a few days prior, one had been abrupt with another.
Sally talked about having our sensors out to see where there was a need that someone had to be encouraged. Amen. A large part of encouraging someone is noticing that they need to be encouraged to begin with. And I heard a quote somewhere that said something to the effect of, "If someone's breathing, then they need encouragement."
I have a different option for the Family Day Celebration that they did, where they feasted and then remembered their family history with God and His blessings over the year. They did it in August before the school years started. We sort-of sometimes do that at Thanksgiving with extended family. I like turning it into a game, where everyone writes down one thing they're thankful for, and the rest of the family tries to figure out who wrote what. ... But, actually, among just our household, we "celebrate" something closer to the Clarksons Family Day on January 1st. We have a blue jar labeled "Answered Prayers," and we begin the New Year by reading the scraps of paper we entered in it throughout the year, the ways that God has answered our prayers.
I liked the section on how to heal a friendship, how to bring reconciliation. After several other suggestions are exhausted, I liked this quote, "A friendship is a precious thing, not to be lightly discarded. But if the misunderstanding persists, the best advise I can give is to do this: 1) do your best to be a peace maker, and 2) to entrust people to God."
Favorite quotes:
"An untabled faith is an unstable faith." - Leonard Sweet
"Everybody stop! Take a deep breath, and think about Jesus." - Joy, Sally's daughter, in her childhood, during an argument at the table.
"When we thank God for a meal, we are decisively turning our hearts away from focusing just on our own needs to focusing on the Giver of the good gifts we are about to enjoy."
"Sharing spiritually from open hearts around a table almost never happens unless someone in the group is intentional and initiating."
"Yet the sacrifice [of serving a meal] is wasted if the attitude of serving is self-concerned and complaining in nature." I can get so tired that I feel complainy.
"I picture that I am nourishing souls and spirits with both physical food and the everlasting food of the Word of God." I have thought that before, that the two things I like to do are to nourish spirits with God's Word, and to nourish hearts with physical food - particularly providing a meal to someone in crisis.
"Relationship is at the heart of all influence, good and bad. When people feel loved and accepted, affirmed and believed in, they are more willing to receive the messages we feel are important to share."
"But knowing that they [Sally Clarkson's adult children] can come home for a dose of comfort (and comfort food) helps keep them fighting, or so they have told me."
"Beauty in our homes lifts the spirits of all who live or visit there."
"When this longing [to belong] is met within a home culture - where kids feel happy, loved, secure, needed, and valued - then this culture will have the greatest influence on the values those kids develop."
"So they return home, to deep roots, whenever they can, just to experience that kind of fellowship once again."
"Yet it was in the context of these times [family dinners] that our children learned over time and with a certain amount of duress, how to develop social skills that took into consideration the feelings of others."
"Time after time we taught our children not to let anger fester, but to seek peace instead."
"But a family culture is being built even when progress is hard to see. Keep the conversation going."
"Establishing the dinner table as a place of discussion fosters an environment where truth is sought through dialogue, graciousness is taught and upheld, and convictions are formed."
"Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone." - Colossians 4:6
"Never stop teaching, training, and pouring into your children because you think they aren't listening. Patience reveals investment."
"Once, when asked why she was still a Christian, my daughter Sarah said, 'Because of pecan French toast with butter and syrup.'"
"No one likes to feel forced to talk about anything, particularly the gospel and spiritual matters. I know I certainly don't. And yet so many well-intentioned Christians end up driving people away from possible connection because of pressured conversations."
"One of my professors in college used to say, 'Laughter is the first form of acceptance.'"
"Celebration is one of the most effective weapons we have against the darkness of our day... When we celebrate, however, we proclaim the fact that there is still good in the world because God is still faithful."
"The foundation of all blessing comes from a knowledge that God is the ultimate source of all grace, favor, and strength."
"Availability in attitude and time has been the key to opening deeper relationships among us."
"So encourage and build each other up, just as you are already doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
December 18, 2017
I guess I get why I'm "supposed" to think this is a great book, and in theory, it is quite a "perfect" kind of book on a subject upon which I fundamentally agree with the author. But that's just it, it's TOO perfect. Her life, as portrayed, is too idealistic. It is the same wall I come up against all of Sally Clarkson's books that I've attempted to read and just. can. NOT. bring myself. to finish. If I am going to get something out of a lifestyle advice book that is going to truly inspire me to reach for what's better, personally I am going to need it to have good doses of humility and reality on the part of the author that sort of meets me where I'm at. I don't think I'm envious. Or petulant. Nor do I dislike Sally Clarkson or her family. In fact, I still admire them. I guess I am just the sort of reader that can't "swallow" the way the author consistently presents herself and her family as having already arrived, decades ago, at the spiritual awareness and awesomeness for which we should all striving.
July 22, 2018
I got a chance to preview the first four chapters of this book, and it led me to preordering copies for myself and to share. In The Lifegiving Table, Sally Clarkson delves into the importance of the family table in discipling our children. Meals are a time each day where the family can gather for a common purpose, and it can lead naturally into discussion to everything from heart matters to current events.
I like how Sally again points to Jesus as our model for what discipleship looks like. From the last supper and cooking fish over a fire with his disciples to the feeding of the 5000 with those he was teaching, Jesus understands the heart ties among those gathered for a meal getting their most basic needs met. As an added bonus, Sally shares recipes of her family's favorites!
"A family culture that is distinct and grace-giving has the power to both change and protect us." Sally Clarkson
I like how Sally again points to Jesus as our model for what discipleship looks like. From the last supper and cooking fish over a fire with his disciples to the feeding of the 5000 with those he was teaching, Jesus understands the heart ties among those gathered for a meal getting their most basic needs met. As an added bonus, Sally shares recipes of her family's favorites!
"A family culture that is distinct and grace-giving has the power to both change and protect us." Sally Clarkson
March 25, 2025
This was soooo good! I especially loved reading it right after The Gospel Comes With a House Key. This fleshed out some more practical aspects of displaying Christ through meals shared with children, family, friends, fellow Christians and neighbors. Also gave me a much needed appreciation for meal time and the preparation involved before and afterwards.
October 26, 2017
While Sally didn't exactly try hard to veil how downright perfect her life is, she did share some helpful conversation tips in the back, along with some yummy recipes at the end of each chapter.
January 14, 2021
A beautiful book I read with my small group in 2019 and I just realized I never finished the last chapter- ha ha! We all enjoyed this book and it was so confirming because our bible study small group meets over the most delicious lunch! This book is full of recipes and ideas on how to sharpen each other through good, fellowship and gods word!
December 18, 2017
If the home is a body, the table is the heart, the beating center, the sustainer of life and health. Shauna Niequist
This was my first foray into Sally Clarkson and her books. I had never heard of her before coming across a recommendation on my Amazon book reads, and I am so grateful I did. She and her husband, Clay, are the founders of Whole Heart Ministries and their mission is to empower families with the tools needed to live intentionally for Christ.
The Life Giving Table is all about sharing Christ’s love through using the table as a strategic place of ministry.
There are instances throughout the Bible of God’s provision of food and drink and the people that gathered together to enjoy it. From Abraham’s hosting strangers, to Israelites’ first Passover meal and Jesus choosing his first public miracle of turning water into wine as a lavish display in Cana, the Bible is replete of God using the table as an anchor for imparting truth and fellowship for believers.
“The soul satisfaction of belonging to one another, the anchor of commonly held traditions, and the understanding that our home was a sanctuary from all the pressures and storms of life—all these knit out hearts together into tight bonds that will not easily be broken. And all these we cultivated carefully through years and years of sitting down together, through multiple hours of cooking and baking and preparing meal after meal, through the disciplines of teaching manners and fostering conversation. Our determination to incarnate the life of Christ in every detail of our time together, even our meals, had forged a legacy of love.”
Sally fills her endearing book with tangible examples on how to intentionally cultivate a hospitable home. I love the joy she describes of instilling beauty towards that creation of a lifegiving home and table.
“Why does beauty matter? Because our Creator cared enough to fill His world with color, form, design, sound, and tastes that would reflect a part of His personality as well as His skill as an artist—and because He created us humans both to respond to that beauty with pleasure and to find joy in our own creations. When we strive to bring beauty into our lives and our homes, we reflect the nature of the One who made us. Beauty and creativity are the melodies that wrap around our souls and sing to us of His amazing, infinite life.”
This was my first foray into Sally Clarkson and her books. I had never heard of her before coming across a recommendation on my Amazon book reads, and I am so grateful I did. She and her husband, Clay, are the founders of Whole Heart Ministries and their mission is to empower families with the tools needed to live intentionally for Christ.
The Life Giving Table is all about sharing Christ’s love through using the table as a strategic place of ministry.
There are instances throughout the Bible of God’s provision of food and drink and the people that gathered together to enjoy it. From Abraham’s hosting strangers, to Israelites’ first Passover meal and Jesus choosing his first public miracle of turning water into wine as a lavish display in Cana, the Bible is replete of God using the table as an anchor for imparting truth and fellowship for believers.
“The soul satisfaction of belonging to one another, the anchor of commonly held traditions, and the understanding that our home was a sanctuary from all the pressures and storms of life—all these knit out hearts together into tight bonds that will not easily be broken. And all these we cultivated carefully through years and years of sitting down together, through multiple hours of cooking and baking and preparing meal after meal, through the disciplines of teaching manners and fostering conversation. Our determination to incarnate the life of Christ in every detail of our time together, even our meals, had forged a legacy of love.”
Sally fills her endearing book with tangible examples on how to intentionally cultivate a hospitable home. I love the joy she describes of instilling beauty towards that creation of a lifegiving home and table.
“Why does beauty matter? Because our Creator cared enough to fill His world with color, form, design, sound, and tastes that would reflect a part of His personality as well as His skill as an artist—and because He created us humans both to respond to that beauty with pleasure and to find joy in our own creations. When we strive to bring beauty into our lives and our homes, we reflect the nature of the One who made us. Beauty and creativity are the melodies that wrap around our souls and sing to us of His amazing, infinite life.”
August 21, 2018
I nearly gave up on this book because I felt like Sally Clarkson and I were light years apart when it came to our approach to the table. Lit candles? Cut flowers? Um, nope.
I decided to see it through but revised my expectations from hoping to glean some advice on how to make people feel welcome (which she does, just not as I would do it). Instead, I was just reading basically because I have a hard time giving up on books and I had already checked this book out once and then given up on it and returned it. Clearly I felt some compulsion to read it if I checked it out again!
I slogged through and then got to the chapter where she talks about feeding teenagers, and suddenly found something I can relate to! This chapter felt approachable and real, and it flipped a switch for me. I read the rest of the book with much more enjoyment.
Was this because I was having a bad attitude or because she lost some of her frilly airs, which usually don’t mix well with teenage kids? I don’t know, but I’m glad that I saw this book through. Even though Sally and I will probably always welcome people to meals in a vastly different way, we do agree on several points:
People want to be welcomed and valued.
People want to be heard.
People are looking for a place of rest.
This book helped me to recognize that it’s worth the effort to think of ways to say (through food and other forms of hospitality), “Hey, I’m really glad you’re here. Tell me how you’re doing.” This is going to look different for all of us as we have different hosting approaches and skills, but it doesn’t mean your way is better than mine. We just need to figure out ways to do it.
So Sally, even though you love Victoria magazine and may have a profusion of doilies at your home, thanks for writing this. It was really helpful. And I can tell that deep down, we’re on the same team.
I decided to see it through but revised my expectations from hoping to glean some advice on how to make people feel welcome (which she does, just not as I would do it). Instead, I was just reading basically because I have a hard time giving up on books and I had already checked this book out once and then given up on it and returned it. Clearly I felt some compulsion to read it if I checked it out again!
I slogged through and then got to the chapter where she talks about feeding teenagers, and suddenly found something I can relate to! This chapter felt approachable and real, and it flipped a switch for me. I read the rest of the book with much more enjoyment.
Was this because I was having a bad attitude or because she lost some of her frilly airs, which usually don’t mix well with teenage kids? I don’t know, but I’m glad that I saw this book through. Even though Sally and I will probably always welcome people to meals in a vastly different way, we do agree on several points:
People want to be welcomed and valued.
People want to be heard.
People are looking for a place of rest.
This book helped me to recognize that it’s worth the effort to think of ways to say (through food and other forms of hospitality), “Hey, I’m really glad you’re here. Tell me how you’re doing.” This is going to look different for all of us as we have different hosting approaches and skills, but it doesn’t mean your way is better than mine. We just need to figure out ways to do it.
So Sally, even though you love Victoria magazine and may have a profusion of doilies at your home, thanks for writing this. It was really helpful. And I can tell that deep down, we’re on the same team.
December 26, 2017
So inspiring! My favorite chapters were “Fun, Faith, & Feasting” which gave me a vision for the future of ministering to teenage kids. Also the section in Ch 8 “Living our Grace” called “Think Sustainability”. I love the idea of “sustainability” in my spiritual life & family culture that I’m making it my word of the year for 2018.
January 15, 2023
This will become a reread for me. Definitely lifegiving. Today, after a chilly outing at the park with my kids, we came home and I made hot cocoa. Instead of starting on housework, I made some peach tea for myself, set out some almond biscuits and pretzels, and sat with my children at the table. We sipped and nibbled and talked. Well, my kids talked. And talked. They daydreamed about a book my oldest two are co-writing and discussed the ins and outs of their favorite video game. Everly sang and laughed, dunking pretzels one at a time into her cocoa as she snacked. I listened and smiled. It was our own little tea time. A slow-down. Intentional quality time together. I will be doing this again.
January 21, 2019
This was a great read and encouragement for promoting a family culture built around the table. Very encouraging but also inspiring to improve in this area. I can see how it might cause feelings of guilt (similar to The Gospel Comes With A House Key) but I am familiar enough with Sally’s writing and teachings to know it is not her intent to guilt trip or come off as better than you, I think she just wants to be an encouragement in this area and for me, she succeeded.
October 15, 2025
Good encouragement to keep doing some things we are already doing around meals. And ideas for new “anchors” to establish/start. It would be overwhelming to start everything in the book or try to do all the ideas. But good encouragement on mindset and I’d read it again for ideas for framing meals as the kids get older.
August 30, 2025
Loved this book! The importance of the table and food in our relationships cannot be overstated. The table is where we demonstrate hospitality and love to those we love and where we nourish one another, body and soul.
September 15, 2017
Sally Clarkson's books always speak very deeply to my heart as a Christian wife and mother, and this book definitely did not disappoint!
In a culture where the family table has been invaded by distractions of busyness, careers, and social media, The Life Giving Table is a refreshing call back to the heart of home.
Sally's passionate vision for life inspires us all to pursue a life of excellence! Her practical and very real teachings equip us to live out those visions in the reality of our every day lives.
I received an advanced read of the first four chapters of this book, prior to it's official release date, and am anxiously awaiting reading this book in it's entirety!
In a culture where the family table has been invaded by distractions of busyness, careers, and social media, The Life Giving Table is a refreshing call back to the heart of home.
Sally's passionate vision for life inspires us all to pursue a life of excellence! Her practical and very real teachings equip us to live out those visions in the reality of our every day lives.
I received an advanced read of the first four chapters of this book, prior to it's official release date, and am anxiously awaiting reading this book in it's entirety!
December 26, 2017
You really never can go wrong with a book by Sally Clarkson. Full of wisdom and with a heart full of joy, her books are not just books; they are experiences. Her latest, "The Lifegiving Table," is no exception. Drawing on her own experience and ideals, coupled with her heart for families and discipleship, she weaves together a book full of ideas on how to bring meaning and depth to the family dinner table.
With my two young boys at home, our dinnertime is often chaotic and loud and messy. This book helps me feel like it is possible to have meaningful conversation and traditions. Even while recognizing that not every idea she presents in this book is practical in every home, there is plenty to stir my own thoughts toward what I can practically do in my own home.
Each chapter includes thoughts to ponder and ideas to try, plus several recipes that coincide with the topic of each chapter. There is also an appendix that is chock full of conversation starters. I loved the points in this book and will continue to draw on material I found here to nurture my own family's dinner time conversations. Highly recommend!
(I’ve received this complimentary book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
With my two young boys at home, our dinnertime is often chaotic and loud and messy. This book helps me feel like it is possible to have meaningful conversation and traditions. Even while recognizing that not every idea she presents in this book is practical in every home, there is plenty to stir my own thoughts toward what I can practically do in my own home.
Each chapter includes thoughts to ponder and ideas to try, plus several recipes that coincide with the topic of each chapter. There is also an appendix that is chock full of conversation starters. I loved the points in this book and will continue to draw on material I found here to nurture my own family's dinner time conversations. Highly recommend!
(I’ve received this complimentary book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
July 6, 2019
I had to force myself to finish this book; it seemed like a repeat of many of the same ideas from her Life Giving Home book, only she added recipes. I know many people love her books, and her ideas for establishing traditions are worthwhile, most of them don’t translate well to a small family with only one child.
June 8, 2018
What a wonderful and inspiring read! I gleaned so much from this book. there's so many wonderful ideias and stories of how to truly make the most of the time you have with your children and create traditions that will have a lasting effect on their lives.
One thing I really loved about the book was that all the life-giving table ideas she presented were ones that had been tried and true. Her children had grown up to be successful adults with healthy relationships with those around them and grounded spiritually. I could see much being attributed to the time she invested in them around her "lifegiving" table. It's for sure not a book to make you feel bad about your own life but rather to encourage you to do your best and invest in those placed in your lives, with many wonderful ideas on how to do that. A very empowering read for a mother. I look forward to reading more from this author.
One thing I really loved about the book was that all the life-giving table ideas she presented were ones that had been tried and true. Her children had grown up to be successful adults with healthy relationships with those around them and grounded spiritually. I could see much being attributed to the time she invested in them around her "lifegiving" table. It's for sure not a book to make you feel bad about your own life but rather to encourage you to do your best and invest in those placed in your lives, with many wonderful ideas on how to do that. A very empowering read for a mother. I look forward to reading more from this author.
June 7, 2020
Enjoyed this book so much! It reminded me of many women in my life who have extraordinarily life giving tables I have benefited from, and whom I aspire to be exactly like.
Memoir-ish, Sally mostly talks about their own family traditions and how they got started on them. I adore a good memoir, so the stories and anecdotes were well received. I also found encouragement and a good challenge in these pages, to have the food I prepare more life giving for my family by remembering my attitude while serving sets the tone. I felt inspired to remember to light some candles to make a “normal” dinner cozy and special, and my toddlers think that basically makes it into somebodies birthday party!
There are recipes sprinkled through this book. It’s hard for me to remember to try recipes from non-cookbooks so maybe I’ll leave this on my counter for awhile to remind and inspire me.
Memoir-ish, Sally mostly talks about their own family traditions and how they got started on them. I adore a good memoir, so the stories and anecdotes were well received. I also found encouragement and a good challenge in these pages, to have the food I prepare more life giving for my family by remembering my attitude while serving sets the tone. I felt inspired to remember to light some candles to make a “normal” dinner cozy and special, and my toddlers think that basically makes it into somebodies birthday party!
There are recipes sprinkled through this book. It’s hard for me to remember to try recipes from non-cookbooks so maybe I’ll leave this on my counter for awhile to remind and inspire me.
August 23, 2022
i’m trying to finish books i’ve previously started & paused. i think the break in reading made me disconnect a bit with it. i enjoyed the format of the book: narrative, scripture, questions, & recipes.
October 15, 2022
Oh I just love Sally Clarkson. For someone who has been gifted in hospitality and service, this has been such an encouragement and a great model to emulate. When I think about my home and how I want to use it to serve and love others, everything within this book is how I envision it.
March 11, 2019
This is a beautiful resource. I enjoyed the stories and the recipes and ideas for my own table.
January 29, 2018
Loved this one. Inspired me in a way that I needed at the exact time that I needed it! I love when we come across the perfect book at the perfect time!
April 6, 2025
This was a sweet follow up to The Lifegiving Home. I was a little unsure about what could be perceived as an over spiritualizing of a table, but the other side of the coin is that Sally Clarkson wants you to take advantage of everything God gives you—to be lifegiving with it.
The recipes shared look amazing and now I really want to plan my own Christmas tea party.😍
The recipes shared look amazing and now I really want to plan my own Christmas tea party.😍
August 30, 2023
The basic overview:
Sally Clarkson shares stories, insight, and wisdom on how to make your table not just a place of feasting, but a place to share with others the love of Christ and minister to their needs.
The story behind my reading this:
I was in my early teens, and literally begged my mother to let me read it. I had always wanted to read a book by Sally Clarkson, but at the time, since I wasn’t a wife and mother with a home of my own, obviously, none of Clarkson’s books were very relevant to me then. So she let me start with this one. I have to say, that I really, really enjoyed reading it. Even as a young teen. The book just made me feel so inspired, so…I don’t know…but this just triggered my pleasure circuit and I loved reading it, dreaming about my someday home and my future tables that I too would be able to share faith and fellowship around.
The lesson I learned:
I learned that even though I wasn’t a wife and mother, even though I didn’t have a home of my own, that I could still be a part of sharing faith and fellowship at the table that I did sit down at everyday, with the people that I sat down with each day. It was a wonderful and encouraging feeling, to know that at a tender age I still had the power to do that.
The parts that affected me most:
I loved it whenever Sally shared her own personal stories, and the experiences that she had. Again, she inspired me greatly in the way that I wanted to live out my future life. I personally really enjoy it when authors share their personal life experiences and stories, as it adds such color and life to what they write about.
What I felt God telling me through this book:
That just like Sally, I too could bring life to the table, life to the lives of others. It encouraged me even more in my walk with Him, because I knew that none of my dreams could be achieved without Him right by my side.
How this book changed me:
I was on the brink of teenage and early young adulthood when I read this—a stage that I faced with terror and anxiety, but after reading this book, I was able to face it with hope and confidence.
My recommendation:
I would definitely recommend this book—and you don’t have to be a wife/husband or a mother/father to read it and take away so much inspiration and love and hope from it.
Things to be wary of:
As I said, Sally shares many life experiences and stories within this book, and some material may be sensitive to some readers, as it is from the perspective of a mother, and children reading it will not fully understand it. But there is nothing in here that is suggestive or “bad”.
Think Philippians 4:8:
I believe that this book is true, that the wisdom within it is right and just, that the events and experiences are true and did happen. This book (and the people in it!!) is definitely noble, and it’s also right, pure, and lovely. Sally and her wisdom is indeed admirable and excellent. Worthy of praise? Yes, yes, yes!!
Things I liked about it:
Things I didn’t like about it:
There was probably only one thing that I didn’t like—just one phrase in the second chapter about “we eat to live. We live to eat.” Maybe it’s really just a personal matter, but I just didn’t agree. I won’t go on a soapbox, it’s just that only living to eat is not a worthwhile thing—I am not saying that Clay (who wrote that chapter) meant that, but maybe other people would misunderstand, so I just want to clear that up, and finish with my five star recommendation.
This book is AWESOME. 👏
Sally Clarkson shares stories, insight, and wisdom on how to make your table not just a place of feasting, but a place to share with others the love of Christ and minister to their needs.
The story behind my reading this:
I was in my early teens, and literally begged my mother to let me read it. I had always wanted to read a book by Sally Clarkson, but at the time, since I wasn’t a wife and mother with a home of my own, obviously, none of Clarkson’s books were very relevant to me then. So she let me start with this one. I have to say, that I really, really enjoyed reading it. Even as a young teen. The book just made me feel so inspired, so…I don’t know…but this just triggered my pleasure circuit and I loved reading it, dreaming about my someday home and my future tables that I too would be able to share faith and fellowship around.
The lesson I learned:
I learned that even though I wasn’t a wife and mother, even though I didn’t have a home of my own, that I could still be a part of sharing faith and fellowship at the table that I did sit down at everyday, with the people that I sat down with each day. It was a wonderful and encouraging feeling, to know that at a tender age I still had the power to do that.
The parts that affected me most:
I loved it whenever Sally shared her own personal stories, and the experiences that she had. Again, she inspired me greatly in the way that I wanted to live out my future life. I personally really enjoy it when authors share their personal life experiences and stories, as it adds such color and life to what they write about.
What I felt God telling me through this book:
That just like Sally, I too could bring life to the table, life to the lives of others. It encouraged me even more in my walk with Him, because I knew that none of my dreams could be achieved without Him right by my side.
How this book changed me:
I was on the brink of teenage and early young adulthood when I read this—a stage that I faced with terror and anxiety, but after reading this book, I was able to face it with hope and confidence.
My recommendation:
I would definitely recommend this book—and you don’t have to be a wife/husband or a mother/father to read it and take away so much inspiration and love and hope from it.
Things to be wary of:
As I said, Sally shares many life experiences and stories within this book, and some material may be sensitive to some readers, as it is from the perspective of a mother, and children reading it will not fully understand it. But there is nothing in here that is suggestive or “bad”.
Think Philippians 4:8:
I believe that this book is true, that the wisdom within it is right and just, that the events and experiences are true and did happen. This book (and the people in it!!) is definitely noble, and it’s also right, pure, and lovely. Sally and her wisdom is indeed admirable and excellent. Worthy of praise? Yes, yes, yes!!
Things I liked about it:
Things I didn’t like about it:
There was probably only one thing that I didn’t like—just one phrase in the second chapter about “we eat to live. We live to eat.” Maybe it’s really just a personal matter, but I just didn’t agree. I won’t go on a soapbox, it’s just that only living to eat is not a worthwhile thing—I am not saying that Clay (who wrote that chapter) meant that, but maybe other people would misunderstand, so I just want to clear that up, and finish with my five star recommendation.
This book is AWESOME. 👏
September 8, 2017
First, I'll be upfront and say I've only read the first four chapters (and I feel grateful for the opportunity because the book doesn't come out for another month!).
That being said, I cannot say enough positive things about this book or Sally Clarkson herself. Her book, The Lifegiving Home, is a book I go back to every month for encouragement and advice as my husband and I work to shape and nurture our family culture around what really matters--family, faith, and all that is good, beautiful, and true.
Her newest book, The Lifegiving Table, is a closer look at how to intentionally foster those same kinds of principles specifically around the dinner table.
"Souls are shaped in the common moments of life, the daily stuff of memories."
Gather. Bless. Eat. Share. Serve.
The Clarksons are a special family, who intentionally fostered dinnertime discipleship as a part of their family culture--feasting on both food and truth--and this wonderful glimpse into their home provides both inspiration and practical advice (and recipes!!) for those who wish to create their own lifegiving table--for those both inside and outside their home.
5 Stars, all the way. I can't wait to read the rest of the book. October 3rd can't get here fast enough!!
That being said, I cannot say enough positive things about this book or Sally Clarkson herself. Her book, The Lifegiving Home, is a book I go back to every month for encouragement and advice as my husband and I work to shape and nurture our family culture around what really matters--family, faith, and all that is good, beautiful, and true.
Her newest book, The Lifegiving Table, is a closer look at how to intentionally foster those same kinds of principles specifically around the dinner table.
"Souls are shaped in the common moments of life, the daily stuff of memories."
Gather. Bless. Eat. Share. Serve.
The Clarksons are a special family, who intentionally fostered dinnertime discipleship as a part of their family culture--feasting on both food and truth--and this wonderful glimpse into their home provides both inspiration and practical advice (and recipes!!) for those who wish to create their own lifegiving table--for those both inside and outside their home.
5 Stars, all the way. I can't wait to read the rest of the book. October 3rd can't get here fast enough!!
October 13, 2021
If you’re looking for a heart warming, getting to the depths of your soul, type of book ... this is it. I’m always thankful for Sally Clarkson’s words. They’re encouraging, relatable, and full of truth from the Word.
She addresses discipleship around the table ... with your kids/family, friends, and strangers. It’s really insightful to hear from someone who’s been doing it for years.
She addresses discipleship around the table ... with your kids/family, friends, and strangers. It’s really insightful to hear from someone who’s been doing it for years.
August 3, 2024
I just keep appreciating Sally Clarkson more and more.
To give you an idea of my first response vs. now: when I first read The Lifegiving Home, I was put off by her saccharine writing and constantly thought, "How does anyone have the time for this? How does anyone have the money for this? How does anyone have the emotional energy for this?"
Nevertheless, I kept reading, because there was no one like her for a written model of selfless devotion to serving others--something I know I need to grow in. I can do the serving others part just fine, but not with a smile... more of a grumble. "No one appreciates everything I do."
I appreciated this book mostly because she actually undertook to give a bit of defense of her lifestyle, which (as I've mentioned) can feel romanticized. Listen to this:
"People often say to me, 'It's nice that you have ideals, but it's all been easy for you.' But this is just not true. Through the years our family has encountered all the usual issues and quite a few unusual ones--deaths in the family, chronic health issues, job layoffs, money issues, mental illness, seventeen moves, multiple miscarriages, church splits, church plants, and more. So my ideals did not develop out of ease, but out of difficulty. Learning to create beauty and peace in everyday moments was what kept me going in the middle of it all. Food, feasting, and traditions are not frivolous, but ways to make life work, to make it sustainable" (128).
Oooooh. THAT certainly reframes the mental image I was tempted to have of the Clarksons! Sally Clarkson is not someone who decided to have constant mugs of tea, sweet family walks-and-talks, and big celebrations because she had no time on her hands to do otherwise. For her, all this was a FIGHT, her heroic, Prov. 31 fight, for beauty and joy in the midst of a hectic, tragic world. AND she made me want to fight for it, too.
After this book and several others, I've decided that "intentionality" is the Clarkson watchword: "The table is a vehicle for spiritual influence, godly mentoring, true connection of hearts and minds. And that can happen anywhere, but it will not happen by accident" (237). All the sweetness described in Clarkson's books is from years of her saddling up to serve and fight for joy when it's hardest, when most people (including me) would revert to survival mode fast food eating with numbing-out-to-Netflix as a side.
The Clarksons cast a great vision in this book for seeing the table as a disciple-making opportunity. Clay's chapter on the theology of the table in the Bible opened my eyes to many themes and cool literary devices God used without my ever having been aware of them before. I loved the chapter on creating family culture around the table (it's why I bought the book). Some of the later chapters were more tangentially related to the book's main idea, and while they had good teaching on friendship or holidays, as far as they dealt with the life-giving table, they were fairly repetitious. My surprise favorite chapters were "Fun, Faith, and Feasting" and "Living Out Grace."
Finally, Sally Clarkson does include recipes at the end of each chapter. We've only tried one so far (Polish eggs), but it was a HUGE winner with us.
So in the end, it's a really strong book. It not only provides theological and practical frames for a truly lifegiving haven at your family table, but it also helps me read all the rest of the Clarkson canon with a more accurate lens.
To give you an idea of my first response vs. now: when I first read The Lifegiving Home, I was put off by her saccharine writing and constantly thought, "How does anyone have the time for this? How does anyone have the money for this? How does anyone have the emotional energy for this?"
Nevertheless, I kept reading, because there was no one like her for a written model of selfless devotion to serving others--something I know I need to grow in. I can do the serving others part just fine, but not with a smile... more of a grumble. "No one appreciates everything I do."
I appreciated this book mostly because she actually undertook to give a bit of defense of her lifestyle, which (as I've mentioned) can feel romanticized. Listen to this:
"People often say to me, 'It's nice that you have ideals, but it's all been easy for you.' But this is just not true. Through the years our family has encountered all the usual issues and quite a few unusual ones--deaths in the family, chronic health issues, job layoffs, money issues, mental illness, seventeen moves, multiple miscarriages, church splits, church plants, and more. So my ideals did not develop out of ease, but out of difficulty. Learning to create beauty and peace in everyday moments was what kept me going in the middle of it all. Food, feasting, and traditions are not frivolous, but ways to make life work, to make it sustainable" (128).
Oooooh. THAT certainly reframes the mental image I was tempted to have of the Clarksons! Sally Clarkson is not someone who decided to have constant mugs of tea, sweet family walks-and-talks, and big celebrations because she had no time on her hands to do otherwise. For her, all this was a FIGHT, her heroic, Prov. 31 fight, for beauty and joy in the midst of a hectic, tragic world. AND she made me want to fight for it, too.
After this book and several others, I've decided that "intentionality" is the Clarkson watchword: "The table is a vehicle for spiritual influence, godly mentoring, true connection of hearts and minds. And that can happen anywhere, but it will not happen by accident" (237). All the sweetness described in Clarkson's books is from years of her saddling up to serve and fight for joy when it's hardest, when most people (including me) would revert to survival mode fast food eating with numbing-out-to-Netflix as a side.
The Clarksons cast a great vision in this book for seeing the table as a disciple-making opportunity. Clay's chapter on the theology of the table in the Bible opened my eyes to many themes and cool literary devices God used without my ever having been aware of them before. I loved the chapter on creating family culture around the table (it's why I bought the book). Some of the later chapters were more tangentially related to the book's main idea, and while they had good teaching on friendship or holidays, as far as they dealt with the life-giving table, they were fairly repetitious. My surprise favorite chapters were "Fun, Faith, and Feasting" and "Living Out Grace."
Finally, Sally Clarkson does include recipes at the end of each chapter. We've only tried one so far (Polish eggs), but it was a HUGE winner with us.
So in the end, it's a really strong book. It not only provides theological and practical frames for a truly lifegiving haven at your family table, but it also helps me read all the rest of the Clarkson canon with a more accurate lens.
March 18, 2024
This lovely book is filled with inspiring ideas and wonderful reminders of the power to be harnessed at the table. Whether you are feeding yourself, your children, your dear friends, or an acquaintance, the table is a place to provide sustenance for our body, mind, and soul. It can strengthen you, warm you, and bring you comfort. This can be done through feasting during the holidays, everyday meals, small moments stolen to have intimate conversations with someone who needs to be shown love, or to provide rest and nourishment for your own mind and soul (to better equip yourself to pour into others). It contains not only wonderful living ideas to feed your mind but also humorous stories, delicious recipes, and biblical passages. This book definitely has a very Charlotte Mason feel with its emphasis on taking care of the whole person, feeding not only the body but also the mind and the soul with living ideas.
I highly recommend every woman to read this book, just maybe not while pregnant. It took me a very long time to finish because I couldn't pick it up for months after I became pregnant with my fourth baby. I couldn't think about food for months (which this book talks about a lot!) and fell into bad habits around the table. Picking this book back up was just the gentle inspiration I needed to reprioritize table time with my family and to intentionally set good habits back in place.
I highly recommend every woman to read this book, just maybe not while pregnant. It took me a very long time to finish because I couldn't pick it up for months after I became pregnant with my fourth baby. I couldn't think about food for months (which this book talks about a lot!) and fell into bad habits around the table. Picking this book back up was just the gentle inspiration I needed to reprioritize table time with my family and to intentionally set good habits back in place.
January 1, 2018
This book gave a plethora of ideas on how to open your home to create spaces where community can be enjoyed around Christ. It definitely has a high focus on doing this amongst the typical family unit. There are so many great ideas to create traditions. In particular, I loved the family day mentioned at the end of each year where time is taken to read through part of Joshua and create "stones of remembrance" by writing down specific areas where God moved in their family. Having those written down as a family from year to year are priceless. Although I enjoyed this book, I would have loved to have heard more specific stories about what this looked like before she was married, and how she specifically opened up her home to others to invite them in alongside her family as well as what part her husband played in creating these spaces with her. Overall, it was enjoyable read with great ideas to put into practice.
September 12, 2017
This book is beautiful and a blessing! It has practical tips and thoughts on how to use your table to minister and disciple your children and others! I love the idea that the way we really prepare our children to face issues of life comes from our intentional conversation at the table. The way we reach out to others and bless them is by creating a place of beauty and wholesome conversation. The stories are rich and real in the book and the recipes are wonderful! I've already tried out one and it was a big hit!
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