As I was spending time in the Lord’s presence, preparing for our first meeting to establish what this new movement would look like, I asked the Lord to show me his heart for this. What did he envision? What did he want to accomplish through this?
As I waited in his presence, I saw a picture in my mind: a table – a very large, round table. And I felt the Lord was saying, “I am preparing a place at the table for my daughters.” I felt a call going out to the women of Every Home: “Come! Take your place at the table. It is here your voice is welcome and heard. Share your burdens and your dreams. Be received and refreshed. Find your place here. We are sisters, mothers, daughters, and friends. All are welcome, all are equal. Share your troubles and find help. Share your wisdom and find joy. Share your dreams and find an army of warriors ready to pursue them with you and on your behalf. Find strength and passion, wisdom and courage.”
It is around the table we share meals with our families. It is around the table we share and hear about the dreams, challenges, heartaches, and victories of our loved ones. It is around the table decisions are made – for our families, for our businesses or ministries, for policies that affect entire nations. The table is the meeting place.
In many areas, women have not been welcome at the table. In some settings, women are not even allowed to eat meals at the table with the men in their families. But this is a place for women to belong, to have their voices heard, to encourage one another, to grow from our shared and unique experiences, to be empowered to know and fulfill God’s plans for our lives.
The Lord was creating a very special place for each woman who was coming, complete with the place setting that spoke to the heart of that specific woman.
Women are not simply tolerated at this table. They do not have to earn a right to be at this table. Some time later, as our team was praying about this initiative, I saw a picture in my mind of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit excitedly preparing to set the table. The Lord was creating a very special place for each woman who was coming, complete with the place setting that spoke to the heart of that specific woman. Each setting was extremely personal.
For one woman he set blue and white dishes, intricately painted with designs, with beautiful chopsticks, bowls, and cups. The delicate decorations created a clean, simple, yet exquisite scene. This wasn’t just for any woman; it was only for one specific person.
For another woman there were white roses in small round vases, white China dishes, golden cutlery, and crystal wine goblets. White candles, nestled into greenery, were lit to create a soft, elegant ambiance.
For yet another woman, her place setting was vibrant and festive, with bright, bold colors. The colorful dishes and flamboyant decorations made the place setting look like a loud and joyous party.
Each place was set, not only with that woman’s culture in mind, but with her specific preferences, the things that would make her feel most welcome, most loved, most at home.
Above the table was a large, square roof that covered the entire table. Even the roof was crafted in line with the various table settings. One part of the roof turned up at the corner, like a pagoda. Another part had a thatched roof. There were different designs for each part of the roof, with unique decorations fitting to the table settings below.
Nothing looked cluttered or eclectic. It all flowed together seamlessly. None of the places at the table detracted from the other places. They all just added beauty to those around them.
This is a picture of the women of Every Home. Each unique, with their own history, their own culture, their own gifts, talents, opportunities, challenges, and dreams. But as we come together as daughters of the King, we share so many things in common: our Father, our family of believers, our purpose, our praise, our hearts. One voice is expressed in many unique and beautiful ways.
You, as a precious daughter of God, have a place at this table that has been specifically created for you, and only you. It is your place. You are wanted, you are welcome, you are valued, you are seen, and you are heard.
