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Sobremesa: An Opportunity to Share
“The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table.”
After an incredible weekend, I am sharing my experience at my church’s ladies retreat in Lake Tahoe. And yes I am having coffee with a wonderful group of women, some I have known for over 25 years.
This has an incredibly special weekend for me, as I renew my relationship with God and my friends at church. For several years I have missed retreat due to work obligations on the same weekend.
This year’s theme is “Sobremesa” which loosely translates:
literally “over the table”, and has no precise English translation, perhaps because there is no cultural equivalent. Sobremesa is the leisurely time after we have finished eating, but before we get up from the table. This is time spent in conversation, digesting, relaxing, enjoying.
Have you ever sat around the table after a meal with friends or family and just reveled in their company, sharing stories and special moments? That has been the focus of this retreat. In our busy lives, we often times just seem to skip this step. I know I do.
If you get nothing else from this post today, please consider this lovely concept of “sobremesa.”
We have had some great sessions and some wonderful free time, punctuated with beautiful worship songs. One in particular, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” sung by Hillsong, touches me in many ways.
As a windsurfer, I have been out in the water, nervous and anxious sometimes as I struggle to sail. With little warning, the wind can suddenly get much stronger, throwing me around and making me hold on for dear life. Other times, the wind will simply die off, leaving me in the river trying to sail back to the launch.
After hearing this song in church a few months ago, two lines really resonated with me:
“And I will call upon Your name; and keep my eyes above the waves.”
I know God protects me and I am grateful. As we sing this song, I am always moved to tears.
While I enjoy the rest of the day in the company of God and other Godly women, I will share the lyrics for contemplation and the link for your listening pleasure.
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep my faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Read more: Hillsong United – Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) Lyrics | MetroLyrics
28 Comments on “Sobremesa: An Opportunity to Share”
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I hope to be able to attend a retreat at my church soon. I missed the last one, but there is another one coming up. I’ve heard such positive and memorable moments about retreats. It looks like you had a great time, too!
thanks for sharing your story at Inspire Me mOnday!
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Thanks for the lovely comment, Brandi. I had not been in a while myself so it was really wonderful to go this year. I hope you can attend yours!
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This is a beautiful post, Terri! I learned a new term for enjoying time around the table after eating. I love the lyrics of the song you shared. I am going to check out the song.
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thank you, JcCee! I hope you enjoy the song.
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Another great post Terri, I look forward to them each link up. Saw this one on Fridays Blog Booster Link Up #9 have a great weekend!
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I have learned a new word if sounds beautiful how you and Debbie describe it. A lovely post that you have bought to Fridays Blog Booster Party#9. Thanks Terri. I just thought, a Portuguese word with a Hillsong song. Did you know that Hillsong comes from Australia 🙂 ?
Kathleen
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Isn’t that great? Yes, I knew Hillsong is from Australia–one of my favorite Christian artists! Now if only we could all take the time for sobremesa every day! thanks, Kathleen!
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Such a lovely post, Terri. In Portuguese, my mother tongue, “sobremesa” means “dessert”. I think it is makes sense, doesn’t it?
In fact, in Brazil we generally have “sobremesas” like you described over a cup of coffee after meals. I sincerely miss that!
Thank you for joining #WednesdaysWisdom.
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Thank you, Debbie, that is so cool!
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what an awesome place to have a retreat! I went to Tahoe with some friends last year and it was such a great time 🙂 .
stop by and chat with me! http://storybookapothecary.com ♥
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Beautiful song! Nothing more special than spending the weekend with close friends and having God time in the midst of it all 🙂
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So love the song, Oceans. We sang it in worship this past Sunday. It really does speak to the listener. Thank you for sharing about your weekend at the #AnythingGoes Link Party.
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Sobremesa… that is kind of a magical time. I never knew a word for it, but it reminds me of the times I’ve been able to linger with friends and family at the table. The strongest being when I was in High School and College — when we’d just sit and keep chatting until it was time for class (or something else dragged us away. There were times in College when the post-dinner conversations would find us still sitting in the dinning hall hours after the mean had ended). Now it’s more rare, but often when I go out with friends we will sit and visit long after the foods been eaten and the bill’s been paid.
I’m glad you made it to the retreat, they can be such powerful and rejuvenating times.
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What a wonderful description of your experiences with “sobremesa.” I like that and am glad you got to experience it. Thanks for the lovely comment!
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Beautiful song as well! Powerful.
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Good morning Terri,
Truly an inspirational post. Your retreat was really wonderful and thanks for sharing your personal journey.
On another note, and you may already know it that in the Portuguese language ‘sobremesa’ is dessert. The use of the word as you described reflects how we spend time at the table with family and friends after meals.
Have a lovely day and week!
Hugs from Amsterdam.
Lucile
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Oh, Lucile, I love that about the dessert. It makes so much sense in the context. It was really wonderful and I loved connecting with everyone. I hope your weekend was wonderful!
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Hi Terri, I had a very nice weekend meeting old friends for a long dinner, with lots of ‘sobremesa’! Two ways. Cheers!
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Glad you had a good weekend—thanks for giving me a new word! 🙂
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Sobremesa – Over the table
I LOVE that!! And I’m adding it to my vocabulary. Absolutely the best part of a shared meal with kindred spirits. An insightful post. Thanks! 🙂
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Thank you, Janet! It was educational for me as well. I am writing a “second part” to that post for tomorrow!
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Terri! What a beautiful post! Such peace and joy in the words you write… And Sobremesa I’ve never heard the term but I’ve experienced it so many times around the table with my family and friends… The faith you have in your heart is a beautiful thing… I share it too!
Hugs and cheers to you…. I’m so glad you had a lovely weekend in Tahoe!
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It was really a beautiful time, Lia, plus the weather was perfect! I just knew you were a woman of faith ❤ and thank you for the kind comment!!
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It sounded like the perfect weekend indeed… And I’m touched how you could read my faith through my words… That really moves me… Thank you!!!
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Lia, you remind of my best friend in the way to “talk” with your comments, such kindness and wholeheartedness. I see that you comment faithfully on other blogs as well. You would have loved this retreat. I am blessed to know you, my friend!
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Your comment here seriously is the most amazing and beautiful thing to make my smile turn into an even wider one!!!!! I’m equally blessed to know you and grateful to for the sharing of emotions, ideas and encouragement via blogs!!!!!
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Wonderful memories
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