Come to the Family Table

The goal of Come to the Family Table is simple, create a place where your family can intentionally slow down and pour love into each other and guests.

I really liked the premise of this book. I want our table to be a treasured place. Somewhere we can share our hearts over a good meal and encourage one another.

Ted and Amy Cunningham obviously have a heart for helping families grow closer together and to God. It's obvious that this is something dear to them and that they take great joy in their own family table.

Unfortunately, this book didn't feel cohesive in any way. Only one or two chapters felt like they were on theme with what the authors were trying to convey. The others, while good information, felt like family/marriage topics thrown in there with some distant table mention. One section is all about counseling couples on the brink of divorce- with the conversation levels compared to meal courses. Again, good information but really reaching to fit the book. The authors frequently quote comedians, other authors or people. They were used so frequently that it felt more like they took away from the book than added to it.

There was a whole section of the book about drinking wine. While I don't personally think there is anything wrong with that, I wasn't a fan of the admonishing tone took towards those who chose to abstain.

The authors told a few personal stories, and while most of those were great, at times they felt more like a brag session... Details about friends grandiose homes, expensive custom chicken "chateaus", details about dates to super fancy restaurants and meals by Food Network chefs. I don't want to sound nitpicky and I'm glad that the Lord has blessed them so that they can experience these things-- but the stories felt more isolating than helpful.

The book really did have some good ideas for games and conversation starters for around the table. I don't plan on making any of the recipes but it was a nice personal touch.

Topped off with a plug for Joel Osteen, I just felt like this book fell a bit flat. I really hope my review doesn't sound to negative against the authors, who I am sure are nice people. However, I feel it's important to share my true feelings about each book I read-- or reviewing them would be pretty pointless. If you like the premise of this book like me, I would recommend A Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson.  

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.