Tables and Chairs

This weekend I got my listening ears swerving around an older Andrew Bird album (Andrew Bird and the Mysterious Production of Eggs - yep, it's delightfully odd). The song 'Tables and Chairs' has this built-up section in the middle where A. Bird paints a don't-you-worry picture of the end of the world.



Besides loving the hospitable images of tables and chairs, calling friends who aren't too busy to talk, and drinking roses from a can together, there is this brilliant end to one of the verse. A. Bird declares that the apex of such a vision is that among the dancing bears, the band, and the part where we throw away our survival kits THERE WILL BE SNACKS THERE WILL, THERE WILL BE SNACKS, THERE WILL BE SNACKS.

This pleases me. Food for all. And not just any sort of spread: SNACKS!

This year I am trying to weave back into my life the gentle moment of bowing my head to give thanks for a meal. My good friend Lisa brought a beautiful book back from Iona for me: Blessed Be Our Table. I've been inspired by real prayers like this one:

Prayer
O God,
you have made us creatures of this earth,
hungry and thirsty and needy,
that you might satisfy all our longings with your abundant love.

Satisfy the hunger of our bodies
for food and shelter, health and human touch.
Satisfy the hunger of our spirits
for dignity and freedom
in giving and receiving.
Satisfy the hunger of our minds
to understand our world,
the reasons for its pain,
the ways we are connected to each other.

Satisfy the hunger of our hearts
that all who share this loving earth with us
shall share our satisfaction.
And satisfy the hunger of our hands
to help you make it so

Through Jesus Christ,
Amen.
- Christian Aid

And this one:

Cornflake grace
O Lord, grant that we may not be like cornflakes: lightweight, empty and cold; but like porridge - warm and comforting and full of natural goodness.
- From Scottish Churches House

Yes and amen. There will be snacks.