Sobremesa: An Opportunity to Share

On By Terri Webster SchrandtIn Christianity, community, leisure

Sobremesa

“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.

retreat-mugHave 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

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28 thoughts on “Sobremesa: An Opportunity to Share”

  1. 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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  2. 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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  4. 2patkath

    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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  5. 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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  9. 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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  10. Pingback: Circles of Friends | Perspectives On....

  12. 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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  15. 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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      2. 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!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. 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!!!!!

        Liked by 1 person

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