Some of you are aware of my interest in American government. It is probably no surprise that I love to visit Washington, D.C. The last time I visited I stayed at a hostel in walking distance to the National Mall. D.C. has a lot to offer, especially for a political nerd like myself. Surprisingly, the highlight of my trip was staying at the hostel I booked just a day before. After finding my bunk bed (in a dark room with 20 other bunk beds and strangers sleeping), I made my way upstairs to the communal kitchen area. I was greeted by some of the other travelers and invited to have a seat at the table. There were about ten of us crowded around this large wooden beat-up table. Some were couples and others were solo travelers. A mix of native-born and foreigners with heavy accents. As I took my seat at the table, I was immediately offered food that the group was sharing. We spent the next long while sharing our experiences and learning about one another. To this day, this seemingly uneventful experience, a simple conversation around a table, remains one of my most treasured memories. 

Our preacher at the Montreat Youth Conference shared a phrase coined from the Celtic tradition, caol ait kweel awtch, a term meaning “thin place”. Rev. Dr. Mark Roberts shares, “A thin place is a place where the boundary between heaven and earth is especially thin. It’s a place where we can sense the divine more readily.” I encountered a thin place during my experience at that D.C. hostel. A group of diverse strangers from around the world sharing a meal, receiving and extending hospitality. Before they knew my name or anything about me, I was welcomed a seat at the table. 

Where in your life have you experienced a thin place?