OUR SEAT AT THE TABLE By Lori A Alicea

Everyone needs to know they have a seat at the table.”

My words prompting a last minute dash to the store for extra plates and napkins after coming up short while setting the table for our family Easter dinner this past Sunday.IMG_1737

There’s a deep sense of belonging when the well-thought-out guest list includes your name, a seat at the table and a place in the heart of those gathering together.IMG_2122

Dining at the head table are our four family pillars; one patriarch and his three devoted sons to their father, with his beloved wife and two other sons now taking their seat at the banqueting table with Jesus.

Though falling short in our imperfections,

Yet still,

Our family is a circle of strength;
Founded by faith,
Joined by love,
Kept by God,
Together forever.
Author Unknown

We worship with one another.
We pray for one another.
We love one another.
We have room for mistakes of one another.
We forgive one another.
We are a blessing to one another.

We each have a seat at the table.

Circled in strength,

The family prays, loves, makes room and forgives for any empty seat at the table once the dinner bell has rung.

The Shofar is blown to call their loved ones back home to the table.IMG_1697

Joined by love…

Strike outs in life won’t get you ejected from the game…

Neither will personal fouls.

The family prayers will always follow those taking a detour away from home.

Founded by faith…

You’ll be kept in the batting lineup for another chance at the plate until you hit a home-run in your walk with God.

Yes, we all have a seat at the table.

Sadly, some give up their seat to make room for the next generation, leaving her likeness, depositing her love for the kitchen, and giving charge over the dinner bell to her oldest granddaughter.

The family has grown and so has the dinner table.

Taking their seat at the kids table are fourth generation world changers for the Kingdom and the legacy of our family.IMG_1732

Kept by God,
Together forever…

Yes, God has set the banqueting table for each of us.

If we ever believe the lie in our unworthiness to take our seat at the table,

We are reminded in the Bible about Mephibosheth who was such a person, crippled in his feet and thinking to discredit the thought that there was even such a seat for him at the table.

Yet King David, desiring to show kindness to his loyal friend Jonathan thru his son Mephibosheth, the grandson of King Saul who wronged and sought to kill King David,

He said, “Mephibosheth!”
Your servant,” he replied.

Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “For I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
2 Samuel 9:7 NIV

For those still feeling undeserving to take their seat at the table, Jesus will carry you instead and all your brokenness to your seat, to dine with Him forever.

I WAS CARRIED TO THE TABLE
Lyrics by Steve J. Hindalong / Marc Byrd / Leeland Mooring

I was carried to the table
Seated where I don’t belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don’t see
My brokenness anymore
When I’m seated
At the table of the Lord.

IMG_1737

WHEN GOD STEPS IN!  By Lori A Alicea

If it matters to us, it matters to God.

Whether it’s a child’s sick goldfish, a health challenge, financial crisis, business deal in jeopardy, a wayward child or a heart’s desire in waiting;

If it matters to us, it matters to God.

The surround sound of Heaven amplifies the cries of its people.

Our Daddy hears and answers before his children finish their sentences.

Before they call I will answer, while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24 NIV

This God who never sleeps nor naps can be reached at any time, day or night.

Our calls to Him are never dropped, screened, or sent to voice-mail.

God’s children have speed dial access to a good Father who steps in when we least expect and in ways never imagined.2018 ayva on phone

God loves to hear his children ask of Him; and so we did.

My husband David and I found ourselves in a quandary, when after committing financially to hosting, decorating and catering a benefit event months earlier for our dear Pastor, David without notice found himself unemployed.

Overwhelmed… anxious… deeply concerned.

What to do?

Taking on such a leadership role in itself was an act of faith on our part as we are followers by nature; giving and serving behind the scenes.

Yet, when our Pastor running for office inquired of those willing to host a benefit in his honor; God quietly nudged a husband and wife to trust Him with our “yes”.

Invitations were ordered.

The venue was secured.USE banquet hall

Our guest list determined.

Table decorations envisioned.USE table decorations

Speakers selected.IMG_1300

IMG_1301

Entertainment secured.IMG_1273

USE songs

Excitement is building.USE cake

USE MARION STARS

The word had already gone out to save the date.

Now here we are…unemployed.

Our Guest of Honor would have easily understood our financial plight with compassion.USE PASTOR RON PIC

We could have walked away from this commitment without any questions asked.

But the nagging tug of our hearts reminded we had heard from God to trust Him with our “yes”… and so we did.

Only God knew the words written in our diary of uncertainty; those pages hidden under lock and key to our Guest of Honor.

Yet our Daddy hears and answers before his children finish their sentences.

Trust me with your yes.”

We continued to trust Our Faithful God with the impossible.USE DAVID SIGN'

God loves to hear his children ask of Him; and so we did.

Then, the amazing happens when God steps in while we least expect, and in ways we never imagined.

Keeping a close eye on our checking account balance which was dwindling by the day during this unforeseen unemployment, I realized an error had occurred after noticing a large deposit not our own was posted.

Immediately calling the bank regarding these misappropriated funds, my heart skipped a few beats to learn that monies owed to me years ago had been intercepted and deposited into our account.

More exciting, monies in the same amount would be deposited every other week for the next six months; enough in total to fully fund our benefit with enough left over to deliver our candidate / Pastor and family to his event in honor.

God had made a way when there seemed to be no way in our finances.

God steps in at just the right time with the exact monies needed; restitution I had long given up hope to receive.

Interestingly, these deposits ceased once the event had taken place.

David also started a new job that following Monday.

Sure sounds like God stepped in for us.

Yes, if it matters to us, it matters to God.

Give Him a call.2018 ayva on phone