Who Is At Your Table?
Preparing For A Celebration
I woke up to a vision of a long wooden table being prepared for a celebratory meal. It was in the process of being set, and there was a buzz of people gathering to participate in the occasion. As I took a glimpse of who was there, I realized no one was identified as anyone I knew.
This is when the Lord spoke to me and asked,
“Who do you want to have seated at your table?”
"What? I get to choose?"
It was a concept I had never truly experienced. I was and have often been a guest in other people’s homes. Whether it was a casual dinner or a holiday gathering, I have grown accustomed to being part of other people’s family events.
Now, in this vision, I was faced with the reality that I get to invite and offer a seat to guests that I want to have seated at this long, bare wooden table, a table being prepared for a celebration.
The first thought of a guest we would all long to have would be Jesus. He would most certainly be welcome to be with us! What a treasure it would be to have Jesus there to represent Our Father and Holy Spirit. A meal that is complete with the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Another thought and desire of mine flashed before me. It was a heart’s desire. A desire that I had been longing for my entire life:
A table surrounded by family - siblings.
My family. My siblings.
What would be better?
"But, Lord, how and when is this table going to be set, prepared, and ready for a gathering?”
I thought of Thanksgiving and the joy of having Lacie with us - Wayne and Margaret (my oldest brother and his wife - we met for the first time in November 2019 and had a fabulous Thanksgiving WITH macaroni and cheese in November 2021), a few cousins and my mom. Yet, I know there are more. More that will want to celebrate seeing our family come together for the first time WITH Lacie!!!
IT WILL BE A CELEBRATION.
ONE THAT WILL NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED OR NEGLECTED.
I have not had much that I have felt like celebrating in the last few years. Surgeries for breast cancer were the focus of November 2020, 2021, and another had been planned for November 2022, yet there is something unique about what God is preparing for this next season.
Where will we be?
Who will be with us?
And when, Lord, when will this great gathering take place?
I can see that you are doing something new that has never been done before and I want to be ready.
Ready to welcome you, Jesus, to the table.
The table of reconciliation and reunion.
There will be no “kid’s table” off to the side. We will all be kids at your table for the first time!!!
Talk about the anticipation and longing I have had to have siblings in my life. . .
And what will it feel like to be surrounded by all of the siblings and their family?
To be together. . . for the first time. . .
and . . .
What will this feel like with Jesus at the head of the table?
Hope. Assurance. Confidence.
One thing is for sure: it will not happen without Jesus.
And finding siblings has most certainly not happened without Him being a part of it!
What are you preparing for?
Who would you like to have at your table?
Has jealousy, anger, resentment, or unforgiveness kept you from being able to invite your family to a celebratory meal?
What would it take to make things right?
What would it take to change this?
It has taken me 56 years, and I am still working on it.
Now, I have a vision that assures me it can happen, and I don’t want anything to stand in the way.
Let’s prepare for our celebratory meal.
*Note: I grew up as an only child with a single mom who sometimes worked three jobs to pay the bills and keep us going. When I was 24, I discovered I was one of five siblings through my father. All of us have a different mom. I am the third born/middle of five with two older brothers - Wayne, the oldest; Thomas, the second oldest I have not seen since the mid-90s; Lacie,13 years younger than me - we saw her last week and celebrated her 43rd birthday; and the youngest, a brother, was found in March 2020.
Now that we have all been accounted for, when will we all get together for this celebratory meal?
I cannot even imagine what a celebration like this even looks like!
Thanksgiving 2021 with Wayne, Margaret, and some of their family members was AMAZING!!!!
Thanksgiving 2021 - Stephanie, Ken, Wayne, and Margaret
In this vision, we are preparing for a celebratory atmosphere filled with
MORE family, MORE laughter, and MORE joy!
It will be a celebration for sure!!
I am preparing to have a celebratory meal with Jesus and MORE!
Middle Sister Stephanie
Picture copied from https://www.stocksy.com/es/1267143/long-outdoor-dinner-table