Dreary, cool, and not what we want to see for the first weekend of May, is this Saturday morning weather. So, with a cup of Maxwell House, I am looking forward to telling you about my Do-all table.

I may have mentioned before that I have a profound fondness for old tables. I have made myself – ok, inadequate space made me – remove a few tables from the house in past years. My daughter now owns the square parlor table that came from my great-aunt and uncle’s home. I’ve sold the mahogany version with metal ball feet, that my husband and I found in an antique store (oh how I loved that table)! And, there is a smaller, walnut side table still in the attic. Why, I do not know. The little oak and metal ice-cream parlor table and chairs were taken by the mom of my son’s good friend. I bought it in an antique store for our breakfast nook while we were building, but it wound up in our sunroom, where I accumulated a couple more tables, and as you can see, it needed a much more worthy home – which it found. Now, our house is not large, so a table needs to pay for its room and board with some practical purpose in order to remain. Thus, the old painted drop-leaf table (you’ve seen a many of them in all kinds of used furniture stores) has kept its footing, by being so versatile.

Usually seen in its original dark varnished finish, mine had been painted with a cream enamel, as were the four chairs we bought with it in a flea market/antique store. Four chairs were not enough for a table that expands to seat 8-10! But with the two drop-leaf sides down, and the middle extension kept hidden under the table, it becomes a table for two, and a nice work table for puzzles, plant potting, mini green-house beginnings, bunco playing, and of course, having lunch in the sunroom. The expandable feature made it a good breakfast table-turned family-gathering-table, when odd chairs were added. But, when the original chairs proved unstable, my husband (had he caught my penchant for adopting tables?) replaced it with a very stable, perfectly sized, used, table-for-two for the breakfast nook- complete with two sturdy matching chairs. Parting with my old slide-out, drop-leaf, work table was not an option, and it resides in the sunroom to provide all the aforementioned duties.

I have visions of restoring it to the natural beauty it was before the wood and metal-tipped feet were covered with paint; but then where would I put it? There would be a heated discussion if I tried to replace the table my husband bought. I would lose the battle; because I really like it, and couldn’t let it go, either. Do you ever want your cake and eat it too?

I’m sure there are worse things to love than tables; although, I doubt there are many loves as hard to place in your home. You know it’s funny – with all these tables – I still drag out my old card table so often. Seating for the littles when company comes; putting puzzles together in a warmer place while March Madness rages on; and bunco seating, are the times I find the card table most useful. However, I do not like the feel of a card table; it is unsteady. I dislike the touch – cold metal and plastic. I do not like having to fold and put it and the chairs away; closet storage space is as much at a premium in our house as is the floor space for a stable, comfortable, pretty, old table that came from who-knows-where, with a story to tell. The card table was brand new, bought with S&H green stamps, oh so many years ago. No story to tell.

Wood tables, on the other hand, had a story to tell even when they were brand new; they came from a live tree, likely among a forest of friends, and being sawn and planed into a piece of furniture, deserve to be remembered – not ditched. (I do not need to digress into what a wasteful society we are.) I find myself wondering what meals were served on my do-all table, and who first saw it in a catalog or display window perhaps, and said, I must buy this one. Who and why was it distressed with new paint? Would they have guessed it made it perfect for my sunroom? I enjoy giving new purpose to old furniture, whether worthy or not, like us. God’s plan for us, continues to create and recreate in us, a heart of purpose for His glory, and a purpose in our world.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) ESV

I hope you’re enjoying an old table somewhere, with a story to tell and a purpose to serve. Would you believe I have yet another drop-leaf table to share its story? The old maple standby has many years of service and stories to tell. See you then.