IT’s dinner time and I’m hungry. I come from a rich German heritage of meals served on time and at the table—I know. . . practically unheard of in this generation. T.V. dinners, pizza-and-a-movie, fast food, take-out, meals on the run. . . yet, we miss something.

The Good Shepherd prepares a table before us—a real sit-down meal. Growing up, I didn’t know of any other kind. When my children and grandchildren come to visit, I love to prepare something they will enjoy. How much more our Good Shepherd delights to prepare a table before us. It’s a good meal. He’s not there to impress us as an entertainer. He prepares this meal to enhance our fellowship with Him, not to distract from it.

Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” What a grand invitation!

After Jesus met the woman at the well, His disciples urged him to eat something but Jesus told them he had food they knew nothing about. They wondered if someone brought food to Him, but Jesus said. “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” Jhn 4:33-34. Jesus’ near and dear relationship with His Father continually nourished His spirit just by doing and completing His Father’s will.

God spread a table before me today, a table to nourish my soul. He provided solid food to strengthen me to follow Him, come what may. He sent people for me to encourage and He sent people to encourage me. He opened my ears to His Still Small Voice and spoke to me through His amazing creation. He loved my husband, children, grandchildren, and friends through me. I can only bow in thanksgiving for this abundant table.

Seventeen years ago, I made this entry in my prayer journal:

We celebrate the last of our on-the-road job today and the last of motel living. Tomorrow we fly to Alaska to visit our children and check out the job market.

The Shepherd blessed us through these weeks of homelessness in many unforeseen ways. He created a banquet of provision right in the middle of hardship. As we passed through the Valley of Weeping, He showed me how to make it a place of springs and He covered it with blessings as plentiful as the autumn rains (Ps 84:6).

While “living on the road” we rested from all the stress of selling our home, packing, moving, and storing our stuff. It also gave us time to adjust to an empty nest. Motel living meant no house cleaning, planning or preparing meals, or entertaining houseguests. We survived frozen dinners and I even lost unneeded pounds. During this time I spent many uninterrupted hours alone with the Lord and fed on His Word.

This arid place blossomed and became a fruitful time to write devotionals to encourage others. Though ready to move on, I thank God for His strength during this entire time. He set a banquet before us in the presence of our enemies of insecurity, joblessness, homelessness, and purposelessness. Even through these difficult circumstances we acknowledge our Shepherd’s hand of love, power and wisdom to make our paths straight. He lovingly, lavishly provided and redeemed our losses in the most unexpected places.

Well, I had to take a break from talking with you to have dinner, but now that I’m full and no longer hungry, I’m reminded of the fullness of God’s provision for our souls. He gave us a rich heavenly heritage with meals served on time and at His table!

I look back today and marvel at God’s orchestration of our lives then and now. Though many more valleys and mountain tops followed that homeless time, those days still serve to remind me of God’s faithfulness to each of us day after day throughout our lives. Let each of us join King David who says, “I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds” (Psa 9:1).

ABIDE WITH ME

“Abide with me,” I heard His voice,
“And I will enter in.
I’ll make your heart a pleasant place
Where love wins over sin.”

“Oh, yes, My Lord, please do come in!
I’d love for you to stay.
The front room’s Yours, the rest are mine.
I think it’s best that way.
And to abide, I just suppose
You’ll want the house kept clean.
I’ll need to dust and wipe the place,
At least what can be seen.
I’m sure you’ll want our meals on time,
I’ll make a quickie stew;
I’ll do my best, but still You see,
I’ve other things to do.”

The Master quietly took His place,
And came for meals prepared;
And yet, He rarely spoke a word,’
But listened while I shared.

“Oh, Lord,” I cried out in despair,
“I’ve tried to do my best,
And yet I’m lonely and so worn,
To have You as a guest”
I looked at Him with searching soul,
And He looked back at me.
“I asked you, child, My darling one,
Would you abide with ME?”

“Oh LORD!” I whispered, now ashamed,
How blinded could I be? Please
Take this whole heart for Your own
And I’ll abide with THEE!”

With mighty wind and flaming Sword,
He filled my heart with peace,
Then sat me down before a fire,
And to a royal feast!
Now He is LORD, and I abide;
I rest in His control,
For He’s the Keeper of this house
And Master of my soul.

—MarJean S. Peters