“You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23:5-6 (NIV)
Our family loves Ocean City, NJ, and we are excited when we are able to vacation there. In 2008 and 2009, we rented our friends' shore house on Asbury Avenue. As I was packing for our beach vacation in the Summer or 2009, I silently prayed to the Lord and shared a wish with Him. “Lord, I’d really like to have a special place to have my morning quiet time with You at the shore house this year. You know how I like to spread out a little for my quiet time and study time. Last summer at the shore, I used the kitchen table every day, which was dandy. Yet it would be wonderful to have a special little spot where I can spread my Bible, books and journals out, and not have to put everything away when I am done every morning. Just a little wish, Lord. Thanks.”
After whispering my prayer to the Lord, I continued packing and kept the wish as a treasure between me and the Lord.
When we arrived at the shore house, my husband, Jim, took the first of many heavy loads up to the house while I was organizing our children and gathering as many things in my arms as I could carry. When Jim came back down he enthusiastically said, “Honey, there is a new table in the family room that is perfect for morning quiet times.” What? I had not even shared my prayer with Jim at that point, but he was excited about the table and knew it would be a perfect spot for my morning devotions.
Wow, Lord, thank you! I was so thankful to the Lord for remembering my prayer. The surprise addition of this furniture at the shore house was a treasured spot for me to meet with and seek the Lord each day.
I then shared with Jim about my prayer for a table. He was amazed at God's goodness and His specific answer to my prayer for a table. Jim reminded me that God would move a mountain for us to dwell with Him. Preparing a table was a pleasure for the Carpenter. (Jim also asked me if I could pray for a jet ski for the following summer's vacation!)
A few days into our vacation, I called my sweet girlfriend, Tricia, who owned the house with her husband to see how she was feeling as she had been ill. Toward the end of our phone conversation, I mentioned the table to her saying, “By the way, we love the table you put in the family room of the house. It’s perfect for morning quiet time with the Lord!”
“What table?” Tricia asked.
“You know, the table between the fire place and the front door. It’s just perfect for devotions and studying the Bible.”
“We didn’t put a table there.”
“Yes, you did.”
“No, we didn’t.”
She paused momentarily and then asked me to hold on. Then she called to her tween daughter to inquire. Her daughter confirmed ~ no, they hadn’t put a table in their shore home.
The "Table For Two" at the shore house - Summer 2009
I took a picture of the table with my cell phone and texted it to my friend. Her reply: She had never seen the table before. She double-checked with her husband, the realtor and cleaning woman (the small handful of people who had key access to their shore home). Nothing. Nobody knew about the table or how it got there.
But we did know.
God remembered my prayer.
The Master Carpenter prepared a table for me. He met me there. He encouraged and blessed my heart remarkably. He spoke His love and acceptance to my heart in a way I will always remember. He made my cup overflow. His goodness and love follow us.
Before we left the shore house at the end of our week’s vacation, I stood at the table with my hands on it. I prayed for all the people who had sat there before me and for those who will sit there in the future. I prayed they would meet with God there, that it would be a special place for them as well. I prayed also they would inquire of Him, be watchful for His answers and give Him joyous thanksgiving.
In March 2011, as I drove up to our home on my birthday after picking our children up from school, a breathtaking gift was on our porch. A beautiful re-gift. A precious gift first given to me by the Lord and then given again to me by my girlfriend and her husband. They surprised me on my birthday by giving me the table from their shore house. His table. Hushed and humbled by His love, His table for two now sits in our living room...inviting us to dine with Him in His Word each day. ("A Sweet Drink From The Saucer")
The table is set. He has prepared a table for you. He longs to dine with you at His table. Join the Master Carpenter. Listen to Him, eat what is good and let your soul delight itself in His abundance.
"Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance."
Isaiah 55:2
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance."
Isaiah 55:2
