“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Apples of Gold Encouragement 