Come To the Table Ministry

Why?

How many times do we ask ourselves this question in a state of exasperation? Why?? Well, this morning, it was the first thing that came to my mind.

You see, as an adult, I have had to battle anxiety, and the frustrating part of all of it is that my anxiety can show up at the most ironic times….like my days “off.” Why now? What am I afraid of?

I am so thankful for mornings where I can be lazy with no time constraints. Yet what is the FIRST thing I do this morning? I spend 30+ mins scrolling through social media so I can just “relax.” (Yeah, right.)

While I’m doing this, I’m constantly analyzing how much time I have until I need to get moving so I can get my to do list done. Why can’t I just put my phone down and enjoy the quiet? Why do I have to continually be filling my time with something? How do I shut off my brain??? It’s the anxiety.

Interestingly enough, in true God fashion, my scripture reading this morning was from Philippians 4. Verses 6-7 say, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Why anxiety for me? Maybe it’s a blessing? Just maybe, God is using my anxiety to remind me to how much I need Him in my life, no matter the circumstance. Through giving my anxiety to Him daily, I will find my road to peace. It is my anxiety that keeps me close to Him. And it is only through Jesus (not scrolling through social media) where I will receive complete peace and rest.

Verses 8-9 tell me:

Make a choice.
Pray with a thankful heart.
Train my thoughts to focus on helpful things.
Practice Christ-like behavior.

THEN the peace of God will be with me.

(Photo cred: Amy Treasure on Unsplash)

In Him,

Ashley

Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Come To The Table

It’s been just over a year ago now that I heard a sermon by my good friend, Rev Mark Gooden, on how God calls each of us to come to His table. It was shortly after this sermon that my FB group called Come To The Table was born and soon thereafter my blog Come2theTable.

As I reflect on this past year, I am amazed at how God has used this idea to grow me personally…but in ways that were not what I expected. You see, in my mind this idea was going to become a platform for me to reach the masses for God. At the time I was reading all sorts of books by Christian authors who had managed to create big brands…so why not me? This was just the beginning, and I knew it. God DID have great plans for me.

And He does…just not in the way I had imagined. You see, all along God knew what lay ahead. He WAS calling me to His table, but a much smaller one than my mind had envisioned. This table would not be on a stage in front of filled auditoriums or be full of best selling books (told you I had dreams). No, this table was perfectly set for me.

Several weeks ago I made the decision to give my relationship with Christ my first fruits. This means waking up early during the week to pray, to spend time in the Word, and to journal. Since the weather has been nice, I have been sitting on this tiny little porch off our bedroom that can only hold a very small two person table. It’s the perfect spot for some quiet time.

On a recent morning, I was able to thumb through my journal and was reminded of where this journey began. And as I was reminiscing about Come To the Table, it suddenly was so clear in my mind that THIS table is right where God wants me to be….no audience, just the two of us.

He needed and wanted me to sit with Him alone, at our table for two. It is at this table where He prepares my heart and has started the transformation process in me. In sharing what I am learning through our relationship journey, I hope I may help others see Him more clearly as well.

Where are you meeting with God in your life? Is He inviting you, too, to a small table just for 2?

Know when you meet Him there the Holy Spirit will work through you to walk more in sync with Him.

Will you come to the table?

Ashley

Psalm 118:24

”This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

The Potter

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Philippians 1:4
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

What stands out to me about this verse is that I will one day be complete, but it won’t fully be done until the day of Christ. Until then, God will continually be molding and shaping me to be more like Him.

We are all broken, but we have the ability to be molded and re-molded by the Supreme Potter. We may not understand what He will ultimately form from the clay of our lives, but we must trust that in HIS control it will be a beautiful masterpiece.

On the days in which we feel especially broken or under the fire, we must remember whose Hands we are in. It means He is actively working in us and through us.

Don’t remain half-finished and sitting on a shelf collecting dust…TRUST HIM and jump into the Hands of the Potter where you will find your purpose.

#thePotter #moldme #come2thetable

Photo cred from Unsplash: Balaji Malliswamy

Psalm 118:24

”This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Beyond the Crossroad

(Photo credit: Biel Morro on Unsplash)

Just when I think the road ahead is smooth and straight, life throws in a few twists and turns. Several months ago I found myself at a one of life’s crossroads. I was having a hard time reconciling my reality with my faith.

In looking in my rear view mirror, I can see God was actively loving me through a crossroad, just as He always does. I can turn around and see His footprints along the path and can recognize that I was traveling alongside God who would use this specific journey for His purpose in my life. I can see the many crossroads of my past and am able to appreciate how God led me through each one in His own time and for His own purpose. My reality was growing my faith in preparation for His purpose.

While crossroads can be overwhelming, they can also fill your soul in ways you never thought possible. I am someone that craves depth in my relationships with others. But have you been in a place in your life where busyness got in the way of true connection with others? Are you currently craving a more intimate relationship with your spouse?

As I reflect on my marriage, I realize that the season of life we are in with young kids can leave me craving more…more alone time, more communication, more spiritual connectivity.

While I didn’t realize it immediately, God began fulfilling this spiritual craving in my marriage in the midst of a very uncertain time for us as a family. We felt God calling our family to pursue a new direction in following Him but could not understand why. We were intentionally seeking patience (not a gift of mine) in order to clearly see the path He was paving for us, and hoping we would come out of the crossroad with our circumstances unchanged and on the same path. Until we didn’t.

Hours and hours of conversation with one another led us to prayerfully discern our next steps, re-evaluate our beliefs, and turn to the Word. The result? An unexpected crossroad that led to a new path, but one that has left us closer to each other, and more importantly, closer to Him!

(Photo credit: Tim Gouw on Unsplash)

Do you find yourself in the midst of uncertainty? Are you questioning why you are stuck in a crossroad and anxious to be on the other side? I have no doubt God is using this time to prepare you for the other side. This period could be a short red light on your journey of life or it could be a more epic traffic jam. But no matter the length of time, God is calling all of us to depend solely on Him, the one true Navigator.

Is He calling you to be still in the moment? (Someone teach me how to be still please.) Seems simple, right? Trust me. It’s not. I recently was encouraged to be still and clear my mind for 2 minutes at a time four times a day. My brain has such a hard time shutting off. But when it can, it is so freeing!! God wants me to let go of the steering wheel, quit fretting over all the traffic and noise, and allow Him the control so I can truly focus on the beauty of life. Sounds amazing, huh? So why do I have such a hard time letting go? (Que Frozen’s “Let It Go.” Stuck in your head? You’re welcome!)

(Photo credit: Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

I will take each day one step at a time to try and release control over to You, Lord. May you continue to pursue me and encourage me to lay my fears and anxieties at Your feet. Help me to be okay with not seeing beyond the next step and to be confident in knowing You are walking alongside me. Thank you for Your eternal promises, promises we may not fully grasp this side of heaven. Lord, continue to guide me through the crossroads of my life as I use these times of transition and reflection to grow more spiritually in tune with You.

In Your Name,

Amen ❤️

~Psalm 118:24

”This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Dearest Daughter

(Photo cred: S&B Vonlanthen in Unsplash)

Recently you entered double digits, and for some reason this number gives your mama the heart flutters. For starters, I’m patting myself on the back for being able to keep you alive for a DECADE!!! Who knew we had it in us? I mean, those first nights at home alone…like as in without your grandmother taking night duty…were SO nerve wracking!!! I must have checked like a billion times to make sure you were still alive. Did I really hear you breathing? Was your chest actually rising? How was I going to function this next week on so little sleep (cute…right? I wish I could tell my then self that sleep was totally a thing of the past from here on out)?

You gave me the most precious gift of all…the title of Mom. You were born into the world with absolute sweetness, and thank goodness, despite your daddy and I, you have remained that way.

Even at such an early age, you brought just pure goodness to the world. God has given you a gift and an ability to connect with others beyond your years. You are thoughtful, generous with your time, and the first to lend a helping hand. Sweet child, the size of your heart causes mine to explode with joy.

Like me, you quickly traded in the bows and dresses for athletic gear and jerseys. Your love of the game, the way you respect your teammates, and how you leave it all out in the pitch/court/field makes us so proud. Your determination is equally evident in the classroom where your curiosity and thirst for knowledge continues to grow. As you move through life, I pray you continue this desire for spiritual and personal growth.

Your daddy and I want you to reach for the stars, dream big, find your purpose…but we pray that you keep God first in your life. May you always seek Him, find rest in His arms, and trust in His eternal promises.

The world can be a dark place, full of burden and heartache, but know you are NEVER alone. On the other hand, this world has so much light, and my faith is continually renewed by experiencing life through your eyes. I have no doubt that you will change this world…and we will be right beside you cheering you on (like literally beside you 🤣).

When fear of what our world has become gets the best of me, I can look into your eyes and understand that there is far more GOOD in this world, and we are all better for having you in it!

We love you, baby girl, to the moon and back…and back again. Know that there is nowhere you can go, nothing you can say, nothing you could ever do that would stop us from loving you.

Love,

Mommy

“This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Noticing the Unnoticed

Have you ever felt invisible? Been on the outside looking in? We’ve all been there, right? You may be that person right now. But dear friend, God sees YOU!

“She [Hagar] gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” ~Genesis 16:13

(Photo credit: rawpixel on Unsplash)

I count myself blessed to have so many encouraging, loving people who surround me. I recognize that there are people that God has brought into my life for only a season, and others that I hold on to for DEAR LIFE. These people are my family. And yet, even though I’ve been blessed by authentic and real relationships, there are periods of loneliness….for everyone, even me.

If I’m being honest, these periods can have my mind spinning out of control. Friend, this is exactly where satan wants us…smack in the middle of self-doubt and asking ourselves…does anyone see me?

So how can we change our focus from loneliness to one of gratitude? Yep, that’s right. There are blessings all around! I can no longer allow my fears to affect my interactions, my anxiety to distort His reality. If I am not rooted in Christ, then my identity is of this world. And you see, I must quit looking to everyone else for fulfillment and look up to Him to be reminded of all of His goodness.

(Photo credit: Aaron Burden on Unsplash)

Maybe, just maybe, God allows for us to feel the pain of loneliness so that He can draw us closer to Him. You see, we don’t NEED anyone or anything in this life when we experience the fullness of being in Him.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:19

So many people I know are struggling with loneliness and are crying out for help. If I’m speaking to you, and you get nothing else from this, get this: You. Are. Not. Alone. But rather than allow our insecurities to take the wheel down a darkened path, let’s make the choice to dive into scripture to be reminded of how we were beautifully made.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” ~ Psalm 139:14

(Photo credit: Hogues de BUYER-MIMEURE on Unsplash)

Your life is so very precious to Him. You see, friend, Christ died on the cross for YOU and for ME because we are all a broken people. Relationships will be put under trials, people may hurt you, and love can be challenging. But Christ came into the world to REDEEM us. We are alive IN Him!! Now if that’s not something to celebrate today then I don’t know what is!

We are called to share the Good News with others. God wants us to be in community with one another. How can we step outside of our comfort zone today to reach others who are struggling?

“And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” ~ Romans 10:15

One act of kindness has the power to change a life. And I truly believe that one changed life changes the world. You see, we all long to belong. It’s in our very DNA.

So how will we be intentional to notice the unnoticed today? I’d love to hear your thoughts and join together to share kindness in this dark world. When our hearts are broken, and we are feeling alone, let’s change our focus to God’s goodness, His many promises. Together we can change the world, one interaction at a time. ❤️

In Him,

Ashley

“This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” ~Psalm 118:24

Enough Already

(Photo Cred: Niklas Hamann on Unsplash)

Enough already.

So where does it end?

Enough already.

God where have you been?

Evil lurks near.

It’s too much to take.

Enough already

To death, darkness, heartache.

Dear child, I am here.

I’ve never left your side.

Intentionally look.

Now open your eyes wide.

You see, precious one,

Good’s still all around.

My Light shines bright.

In you I am found.

Enough already.

Cast your burdens on Me.

Enough already

For I am victory.

~Ashley Baker

”Thisis the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” ~Psalm 118:24

Dear Youngest Daughter

(Photo cred: Wesley Caribe on Unsplash)

Dear Youngest Daughter,

From the moment you entered this world, I knew our family was complete (despite your daddy’s pleas otherwise). I knew in my heart that forever my baby you would be.

I did pray to God that maybe…just maybe…you would be the first child to at least resemble me. I mean, I am the one doing all the work here. 🤣 I’m not sure that’s the case, but you certainly got the gift of my SUPER-sized personality.

Baby girl, this world can be a scary place, and yet you continually remind me of its goodness. Your light shines bright as you face each new day as an adventure. I pray that in life, you continue to let that light shine bright.

I want more than anything to protect you from what’s ahead. Life is beautiful but also has its share of disappointments, heartache, and trials. While I hope I’m there to hold your hand, whisper in your ear, and pick you back up, I understand there will come a time where I can’t be. However, God has given you a resilience, a determination, and an identity of self like I have never seen before. These will serve you well!

Your independence (some might say hard-headedness) has challenged me in how to best raise and guide you in these early developmental years. While I don’t want to break your spirit, I don’t want to break mine either! Your daddy and I love you too much not to set boundaries. And while you may be spending an awful lot of minutes in time out (and it breaks my heart), it’s because we care too much not to put you there.

I have no doubts you are going to change the world by the impact you will have on others. You are already doing just this! In just five short years, you understand how to bring more pure JOY to the table than any other soul I have known. So spread those wings, dear child. Dare to be different. Hold on tightly to His Truth.

May God walk through life with you, may His angel army surround you, and may your life be a vessel for His Light.

Shine bright, sweet girl. We are blessed to be along for the ride and will be your biggest cheerleaders. We love you more (to the moon and back and back again)

Love,

Mama

XOXOXOXO

❤️❤️❤️❤️

“This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” ~ Psalm 118:24

Three Things God Desires From Me

1. Surrender of Control

If I got bonus points for attempting to control all that life throws at me, I would be acing this test called life. Anyone else struggle with letting go (cue Elsa and you’re welcome for now having that song stuck in your head)?

(Photo credit: Gabriel Benois on Unsplash)

Because life often throws curve balls our way, I think we hold on to anything and everything that we can control. But let’s address this lie of control. It’s a bit like trying to hold a fistful of sand. Your fist starts off full of sand, but all the while the grains are just slipping away…until you are left holding nothing. Have you ever felt defeated or hopeless? Are you too busy grasping at the worldly things around you? So. Much. Energy.

You know that saying…God will never give you more than you can handle? I beg to differ, and maybe you will, too. But whatever you do, please do NOT use this phrase as a source of encouragement for someone in the depths of despair.

You see, I feel like the WORLD gives us more than we can handle. Sin is a part of this life journey, so that means we will at times find ourselves in the face of darkness. I believe God allows these moments because He understands we can’t handle them on our own, but HE certainly can. He uses the darkness to pull us toward the Light. He so desires for us to trust in Him and acknowledge that we are not enough and certainly are not in control.

Will you join me in laying down the need for control at His feet? (This will be a daily re-commitment for me.)

2. Faith in His Word

Have you experienced God’s Word being challenged by the world? My heart has been heavy recently over the liberties being taken with Scripture. Let me be forthcoming in saying that I believe the Bible to be fully inspired by God, a living and breathing Word of God, and just as relevant today as it was when it was written.

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” ~Mathew 6:14-17.

We are consuming so much of the world that it can become daunting to filter through it all. What is truth? Does being socially acceptable matter? What is important?

(Photo credit: Nicate Lee on Unsplash)

When life has me going in exhausting circles, I need to remind myself to hop off the dizzy disc and dive into Scripture to recalibrate. But why even get on the dizzying ride to begin with? You see, I think God is continually calling our names, longing to be in a constant, daily relationship with Him. This keeps us grounded. His Word helps steady us in a dizzy world.

Am I willing to put down my phone, turn off the TV, find a quiet place (or just a place), and open His Word? Each time I do, He fills my soul. ❤️

3. All of Me

God can’t use little ole me, right? I mean, who am I? I certainly am not a Biblical scholar and my weaknesses often consume me. What could He possibly need me for?

We must STOP focusing on US and instead turn to Him. We have to open ourselves up to Him. He needs YOU for His Kingdom. You and I may not be changing the world in arenas or on a stage…but we must start changing the world one person at a time…right here in our own communities. It starts with saying YES to God and allowing Him to transform our lives. We can’t sell ourselves short because that means we don’t have enough faith in Him to do ALL things in our life through Him.

(Photo credit: Nathan McBride on Unsplash)

If I’m honest, I’m wrestling with where God is leading our family in community with Him. How is he calling me to serve Him? Am I willing to be uncomfortable? To change the projected course? How do I best honor Him in the mundane? What I do know is that He wants ALL of me and not just my leftovers.

I’m going to end with a prayer. You see, I’m learning to be okay with the wrestling because it is through the pulls and tugs that my spiritual life is growing.

Dear God,

You have asked me to take off my dirty, stained clothing in order to put on Your beautiful and perfect garments. Who doesn’t love new clothing? So why do I cling to these old rags? Once I start to identify these stains for what they are, I can begin to recognize that they are no longer a part of who I am. Lord, help me to ditch these stained garments for the pure linens you are offering me in Your Name. Thank you for continually reminding me that I am worthy of this transformation.

In Your Name I pray,

Amen

Ashley

”This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” ~Psalm 118:24

My Top 3 Mama Fails

Thinking I can do it all

I think I went into parenthood thinking I’ve got this. How hard can it be, right? I mean, those little babies just lie around and coo for months, so that totally gives me sufficient time to adjust and figure this mama thing out! Until they don’t. And it’s not even 1 hour in and I’m completely overwhelmed.

Now it’s almost 10 years in, with three kiddos, and I’m still overwhelmed! However, I am beginning to understand that I don’t need to be everything for my kids. Can we stop right there? We DO NOT have to be everything for our kids.

Having a village to care for my tribe is beyond a blessing. If you are part of our village, then I say a BIG thank you. ❤️ My kids know that there are so many people in their lives that love them. I no longer have to feel guilty for missing a game or not making a practice because there are others present to cheer them on. I’m not failing but am instilling in them that they are loved and important even when we are apart. I’m hoping they can carry this with them beyond their lives at home.

(Photo credit: James Besser on Unsplash)

I also need to give my husband a shout out for this one because he’s a better “wife” than I am! Because we aren’t always traditional in our household “roles,” we can appreciate that we are better together!

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” ~Philippians 4:13

Comparing myself to other mamas

Am I enough? Have you ever asked yourself this question? Like every day! I’m not sure why I put so much pressure on myself to be enough, but if I’m honest with myself, I think it’s because I had such a nourishing upbringing. I lived in a loving and supporting home that gave me the opportunity to be who I am today. I so desperately want this for my kids. You may be on the opposite end of the spectrum wondering if you are enough because you want so desperately to create an environment so different from your own childhood. I think we can all admit to wondering if we are enough.

(Photo credit: NordWood Themes on Unsplash)

The constant comparison to other mamas isn’t helping either. If you are struggling with comparison, maybe think about signing off of social media for awhile? It’s nowhere near real life. For instance, I may be posting picture attempt #54 after Little Bit stuck her tongue out, her brother hit her, and older sister cried her eyes out for getting her feelings hurt. But #54…that was the perfect shot (after editing of course) and after which they saw fierce mama bear come out. But that FaceBook post is all smiles and sunshine, right?

And y’all, with my first child I tried to keep up with snack time assignments. On my special Thanksgiving snack day I skillfully created a turkey pumpkin with healthy fruit kabob feathers. Man was it impressive. Now? I’m lucky with #3 if I get Cheez-Its to class on time. If you find joy in creating food masterpieces, keep it up! The kids love it. On the other hand, if it summons the beast in you, just throw some crackers in a bag and call it a day. Comparison is killing our souls.

And let me be real. We are NOT enough. Yes, you read that correctly. And we aren’t even close. We cannot provide our family with what they need because they need WAY more than you and I can give. They need Him. Only God can provide what your little (or big) kids need. So breathe a sigh of relief. The pressure is off…sort of. We still have to raise them to know Christ, to develop a relationship with Him. We will inevitably fail our kids, but He never will.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Worrying about what tomorrow brings

Is worry stealing your joy? My oldest is about to turn 10 in a few weeks, and this is hitting me at the core for some reason. She will have spent over half of her time at home with us. Time will continue to go quickly, and as everyone always says….don’t blink! Here comes that pressure again. Pressure to make every second count when some of those seconds are downright overwhelming. Some of those seconds I wish would pass by more quickly….but do I? Just because parenthood is tough doesn’t mean it’s not worth the ride, the smooth AND the bumpy. It is!

(Photo credit: Anh Nguyen on Unsplash)

But worrying will not change anything, nor will it help anyone (preaching to the choir). So what’s the antidote? Trust. Trust that God is in control. Trust that God has equipped you specifically for your family. Trust that He has put people in your life for your personal journey. Most of all? Trust that He loves you, has a plan for your life, and has gone before you to prepare that path. Now that’s comforting, right? So why don’t we start trusting this truth together?

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” ~Deuteronomy 31:8

The three failures of my life are not failures at all but rather FEARS. This year I hope to give my fears to God so that I can truly see life through His lenses. I pray my anxiety and resulting anger would have no power over me but that I start to realize I am enough IN Him, that I can support others without comparing, and that I will enjoy today and leave worry behind.

In Him,

Ashley

“This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” ~ Psalm 118:24

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