When we lived in Germany, we most often ate meals out at gasthauses, which were little mom and pop restaurants with excellent food, sometimes with a small hotel attached.

At these places, we got used to the concept of the stamm tisch, which is literally translated "trunk table."

Unlike our head tables here, a stamm tisch had no fancy decorations. In fact, it was plainer than the other tables. No tablecloth, no flowers, no candle.

What it did have was a gathering of the village elders every single night. Not always the same men, but always at least three of them, gathering to discuss current events, politics, philosophy, etc. The stamm tisch was their reserved table. It belonged to them and showed that they belonged to a certain group of men, respected in their town or village for their age and experience.

When we returned, I noticed that some of the fast food restaurants in Hampton Roads have a similar concept. For example, the McDonalds on the corner of Haygood and Independence, the one closest to the Little Creek base, has a group of Navy retirees, usually all men, who sit at a certain table (or two) every morning to get coffee or breakfast and to talk with their peers about current events, politics, philosophy, etc. Sitting at that "stamm tisch" in McDonalds shows that these men belong to a group that is respected for its age, experience, and retirement status!

I discovered them by accident one day when I stopped in to get takeout on my way to work at Little Creek. I was behind several of them in line and they were in no hurry, having a great time chatting with the young ladies working there. My bad, for not leaving my house ten minutes earlier!!!

Since then I have noticed similar groups of military retirees all over our area. The stamm tisch concept in an Americanized form!

Many of us feel an innate longing to be part of a stamm tisch situation. To have a table that belongs to us and a group around that table where we belong.

Sometimes we rush headlong through life so fast that there is no time for something like sitting around a table talking with a group of friends. Yet our hearts long for that.

Whether we find that on earth in this life or not, we have a stamm tisch ahead, waiting for us in eternity.

I can envision Jesus turning our way as we enter eternity and saying, "Welcome! We have been expecting you and we saved you a place . . ."

Belonging with Jesus and His redeemed people forever!