Since the day I said “I do,” I began to enjoy the benefits of my mother in law’s cooking.
My visits to their home have felt more like a weekend getaway than a trip to the ‘in-laws.’ I enjoy waking up to the smell of my favorite Indian breakfast (pallapam and curry). After breakfast, the day usually consist of more eating, resting and then of course, even more eating.
The more I eat, the more she cooks.
In 2 Samuel 9, we read the story of Mephibosheth. If you don’t know his story, continue reading and you’ll know why I mentioned his name.
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, David’s best friend.
When Jonathan and his father, King Saul, were killed in battle, the family of Saul tried to escape town. In the rush of the moment, five year old Mephibosheth fell from the arms of his nurse. Mephibosheth never recovered from the fall and has lived the rest of his life crippled.
Years have passed and David wants so badly to keep the promise he made to his best friend. A promise to “never stop showing kindness” to Jonathan’s family.
He discovers that Jonathan has a son, Mephibosheth, who lives in Lodebar. A town which literally means, ‘without pasture’ or ‘a barren place.’
David tells Mephibosheth, ‘I will surely show you kindness..I will restore your land..you will always eat at my table.’
Feeling worthless, Mephibosheth initially resists King David’s invitation….but by the end of the chapter, Mephibosheth accepts his offer to “always eat at the King’s table.” Mephibosheth no longer lives in the barrenness of Lodebar, he has now found a home in Jerusalem, a city of peace.
Do you see the correlation? Do you see the common thread? I have a seat at my mother in law’s table, Mephibosheth has a seat at King David’s table, and we have a seat at Christ’s table….not because we have earned it or even deserve it…but because we are loved.
Max Lucado says it perfectly. “Driven not by our beauty but by His promise, He calls us to Himself and invites us to take a permanent place at His table…and we share in God’s glory.”
Whatever you are going through, however physically or emotionally crippled you may feel….our Father’s banquet table still has a seat for you. All you have to do is accept His invitation. He is waiting.
“In my Father’s house, There’s a place for me….I’m a child of God, Yes I am”
-Binu
Photo credit: HeyKerala.com
