After my husband passed away people would wisely advise in passing to read Psalm such and such for continued strength and comfort. I couldn’t help but think “write it down. Did you write it down? You’ll forget. Write it down. ” -Pretty Woman I could barely remember anything especially not numbers. But, thankfully through the years of reading the Bible I have scriptures I’ve memorized and although I didn’t know it God brought Psalm 23 to my mind often.
Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV[1] The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. [3] He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. [4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
I didn’t even realize those 6 verses were together in the 23rd chapter of Psalm. But they were what I was experiencing with God. God had separated me years earlier from any friends and he drew me close to him through the study of His word and utter dependence on Him. When my husband of 21 years and father to my two children suddenly died I just had to lean in to what I already knew about God and the support of His people.
When I was looking to move away from my hometown, I was looking at houses to buy with my realtor. I realized that one of the necessities of a home for me was that it had a place to put a table. I looked at brand new houses in my price range, but I didn’t want them because instead of there being room for a table there would just be a breakfast bar to eat at. I was stunned and appalled at the idea of eating dinner with my children at a bar and not gathered around the table. I didn’t even want to bring my large, 6 setter table that we had in our home and bought together one evening as a family of four at Kanes. I actually was in the process of selling it, instead of moving it again. Yet, a house was a NO for me if it didn’t even have space for a small 4 seater table. My realtor couldn’t believe it. Then, after deciding on a house that was just right for me I hired a construction company to put in a new kitchen to replace the terrible, tiny one that was there. The first thing the contractor said is I can make the kitchen bigger by expanding it with a breakfast bar into the area where the table goes. I almost cried. I’m like NO! I’ll have a smaller kitchen so that I still have room to put a table. No, I don’t have a table yet, I’m going to get a new one that matches my new home and kitchen. My old table was too big and would not have matched at all. He couldn’t believe that I would choose a smaller kitchen for a table. I explained I don’t want to eat with my children in a line. This article explains it perfectly.
“Of course, it’s not really about a physical table but what the time around a table represents. Too many people in our community are living isolated lives. They’re overwhelmed by life, but having too few meaningful conversations about things that matter. They are lacking a sense of connection and belonging. Too many people are like islands in an archipelago, alone and separated by the sea, while God designed us to be like branches of a tree, connected to one another by the trunk and fed by the roots, so we can thrive.The table is a symbol of family, community, and faithful presence. It’s a symbol of our deep desire to be known and be loved. It’s a symbol that we see throughout Scripture as a place where God dwells with and provides for his people. God sets a table for us and joins us around it.” – cfhome.org
Growing up my family of four ate dinner together. We would all hold hands and my dad would pray. I didn’t always like to eat, but I always liked being at the kitchen table with my family. Sometimes on the weekends we would eat at TV trays in front of the TV to watch something (technically still a table. ) My mom had the gift of hospitality and my dad loved that about her and encouraged her and enjoyed her gift of the spirit. So my parents often had dinner parties, gathered around the large table in the dining room with friends and enjoyed fellowship. My parents even turned the formal living room into a dining room so they could have a bigger table!
I remember one day I had made a dinner for my dad and we were sitting at their dining room table with my kids. My husband had passed and my mom was in memory care and we were talking about our plans for my kids and I to move in with him so we weren’t alone and we could help him. I told him we could get rid of his table and I would bring mine. He got all upset and once we talked through what he was upset about, he said he needed to have a table to eat with his family. I said dad. Of course you need a table to eat with your family. You said you like my table and chairs better than yours. He brighten and said I do! I’m just saying there isn’t enough room for both of our dining sets so we could use mine. He said ok. I see where I get my thing about tables! 🤦♀️😆
The table is the symbol of God providing, but also a place where he fellowships with us and invites us to come as an honored guest. A place where we can enjoy his goodness and abundance. Where it’s safe. It’s also in a position to where my enemies see God’s blessings for me. This is the table I want to sit at. My pastor would say that the only verse in the bible which gives reason for why God made us is:
Revelation 3:20 NASB1995
[20] Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
I mean is there anything better than eating with someone you love?
Matthew 26:20 NASB1995
[20] Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.
Isaiah 21:5 NASB1995
[5] They set the table, they spread out the cloth, they eat, they drink; “Rise up, captains, oil the shields,”