Dec 1, 2021
Grace’s Table was born out of Lisa’s struggle and prayers as a teen mama. When she entered motherhood at age 17, she felt alone, isolated, and scared, and there were times when she had to choose between keeping a roof over her son’s head or keeping food on the table. Grace’s Table is a hedge of protection around fragile families; their giving partners are defenders, shielding them as they grow and linking arms with them as they navigate the road to a fulfilling life and future for their family. Together, they preserve families.
I welcome Lisa on to the podcast this week to share her feelings about when she found out at the age of 17 that her life would change forever. She discusses how she transitioned from hosting a bible study group alongside her full-time job in finance to inviting young moms in need to eat at her table, and when she felt that tap on the shoulder from the Lord to build something life-changing for such a vulnerable group of people. Lisa also shares how she came up with the name Grace’s Table and tells the story of who she is honoring and how they helped her.
“Grace's table is a way of me ... extending God's grace to every mom that comes to the table.” - Lisa Anderson
“We really don't know what the person sitting across the table from us has carried, or is still holding.” - Lisa Anderson
“I knew that there was something more that needed to be done because we had moms without education, without stable housing, without food. And I want to always radiate Jesus in the things that I do, but I also want to meet tangible, practical, needs that can allow them to take their next steps.” - Lisa Anderson
This Week on The Wow Factor:
- What Lisa learned from her parents about serving others and serving in the church
- How her foundation was fractured at the age of 15
- How she managed to survive when her son was born and the people who walked with her and shone God's light and love in broken places
- What led to Lisa and her two-year-old son couch surf for a time and how Lisa moved past that and found a stable job in the corporate world
- Why Lisa was so moved to support young moms who are lonely and isolated and how she built the community that embraces them
- How Lisa’s son supported his mom’s work with mothers and small children
- Examples of some of the knocks from young mothers that Lisa has had on her door and how she starts to walk alongside them
- Lisa’s practical advice for families, parents, and grandparents to be on how to have challenging conversations
- What’s next for Grace’s table and how they are extending their support to young families
Lisa Anderson’s Words of Wisdom:
It's so important to have dedicated time to invest in yourself — in getting quiet and praying. It can help you clear your head, then come back and engage with your team in a much better way.
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