September 04, 2012

Feasting at His Table

IMAGE SOURCE CREDITS


 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God,
Revelations 19:17





put more weight over the cotton slacks to erase the crease.  Wets the wash cloth and rubs it over the stubborn areas.  Then press some more until it stood.  This is one thing of all household chores I am not so inclined to.  Yet press on I did.  I want to make it as neat as I can, thinking of the morrow which was the first day of work for Mike.  He must look his best to face the new boss and the new workaday world.  He's long been missed in this group of citizens, the regular earning middle class.

Over a long period of time, I prayed for this spring.  A time where God lays down His sacrifices for the invited to partake.  It was between me and my God.  Hubby's energy and appetite for a regular job was lost for quite some time.  He considered himself retired.  But I know deep inside me that he longs to provide.  It is his delight.  God designed it.

I toiled on for the many seasons like watching the flip of each calendar page, ushering in new moons by new moons.  Scrimped to meet the tight string of necessary sustenance.  Moonlighted and volunteered to welcome well needed resources to the dead of  some nights.  And I continued my plea.

Over this while, obedience to God was foremost.  One needs to be intentional not to brandish this deficiency at the face of the deficient one.  So God had to provide strength and patience all the days of the toil years.  In fact He overfilled me with humility akin to the design of Eve.  I must be a willing, capable and able helper as well as a suitable one.

Oh no, never perfect.  I grumble inside.  But I have to pray for the sun to slow down while it boils down the drain.  Don't let me see the orange sky, the silhouettes, and soft shadows.... while the furnace is still ablaze.  For good measures, God gives.  Take note, with zipped lips at that and a smile.  Allelluia!!  "NOT ABOUT ME, LORD BUT ALL ABOUT YOU!" (Max Lucado)

Where is the feast, my Lord?  I want to be invited. I hope this migrant to the prepared table would find it, knowing that thirst and fatigue would soon sit in, cut the flight and may miss what was there to take.

Then I began to share my desires to a trusted friend, who prayed with me.  We prayed for each other.  We put our needs before Him together.

Until one lunch break, I got a vision.  It was my quiet time.  The office is off-lights.  Others were napping while I was in our pantry, sitting still to hear His voice.  He told me to submit Mike's resume to this firm.  I broke down in tears.  I felt insuficient.  I know I have a prayer warrior on my side and I crumbled further into pieces.  She speaks of tearing down walls like Jericho's walls.  And indeed, some walls fell down.

I did submit that resume before Mike even knew of it.  So no matter what will come, one thing is for sure it is God's.  It was meant to be for a taxi driver position but God had another plan.  The owner wanted him as a supervisor.  His plans are the best always.  There it was beneath my nose while I was knocking at another door farther away.

We are on tiptoe here, this is new ground. A new feeder has materialized-new mercy upon the hands wide open to feed from.  And I am a happy guest at this table.  

It was not I who was at the right time at the right place, God put the time and the place in my path and to complete the grace, He made daylight my sight.

The gathering at the great supper is meant to be the feast of Jesus Christ's victory against His enemies, our enemies.  Or it could be interpreted as our partaking of His Flesh & Blood for redemption. 

I just want to post about partaking at His regular table, His daily mercies, His sustenance, provisions and protection..... and count my blessings.

I wish we could be hovering directly over some feasts of God's, and be invited to come over and be ready.  Yet not every feast can be attended.  They are intended as God intends them. 

Would this be the meaning of how the early birds catches the healthy worms?  Being at the right time and the right place?

As for the great supper of God, every believer will be gathered there..... as "He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies, He will anoint our heads with oil, our cup will overflow." Psalm 23:5 (paraphrased).


Happy to count blessings with Jen.

~ The sun slowing down while the furnace was hot inside

~ Invitation to the Feast (where grace flows rivers)

~That still voice (being heard when the din dies down)

~For doors that are open even when we are facing the wrong one (more often close)

~For renewed strength and fresh hope (what a difference they make)

~For transformation into a little bit of the Ruby woman (even just a grit size of it)

~For the smiles when words aren't necessary

~For people who suddenly come into my life and impact me forever

~For humility, patience, stability of character

~For the definite acceptance of youngest in a sought at job

~For a new grandson coming this September month.

~For a full piggy bank ready to give away for church fund raising


~For people safe and nothing destroyed in an earthquake of  09.01.12

~People rising back from the floods

~For a dear friend's recovery

~For the prayer companions and warriors


~just adding this song on the list (which is a song dedication by my dear Sister Lidia), so fitting to the post, MY THANKS TO YOU, MY SISTER IN CHRIST. (09.06.12)

CARRIED TO THE TABLE



~and counting

   












17 comments:

  1. Oh, Lolita, I've been absent. Yearning for depth.
    And here I find it, as always. I feasted at your table of words this morning. Thank you!

    And praise God for Mike's new job! Yahoo! And for the faithfulness of his helpmate to intercede and hear from God! What a blessed man Mike is!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I missed you too, D. But I was offline for most of the last week and the last. There were so many holidays here which afforded long weekend. I can't go on-line so the laundry pile diminished. Ha ha aha..

      Thanks that you got time to visit me here. Regards to Joe.

      Delete
  2. Sorry it seems the link is not working, but you can copy it and paste it to your browser.

    Much love
    Lidia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Sis Lidj!

      Which link is not working? Jen's or my blog?

      Perhaps it's the connection. Ours too here sometimes hangs.

      Come back later.... and thank you. Hope you did not fee the earthquake much in Bacolod.

      Delete
  3. What a wonderful post about God's wonderful provision. And as always i am a fan of yours when it comes to writing, sharing and your faith. Really a blessing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Joy. You inspire me and I am gonna follow your trips later and your celebrations. I love you photos. It makes me pretend I am in Norway.

      Blessings!

      Delete
  4. Hi Lolita,

    Thanks for linking with me in counting God's gifts. How exciting to hear how God sustained you through that waiting time, how he provided for you guys, gave you a praying friend, and nudged you at the right time! How exciting too for this new job for your Mike! How does Mike feel about it?

    Praying blessings on you guys today,
    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think, Jen, that it was also a right timing for him. He was excited to start yesterday (09.04.12).

      Thank you for your prayers too.

      Delete
  5. Beautiful testimony of God speaking into your heart, Lolita...and all the ways He has us "covered." Your words speak hope into my heart too. May the Lord continue to give Mike a daily excitement for this job and pour out blessings on you both.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Pam. I was a bit apprehensive at first because he is not used to the kind of job he was given but I can see that he is enjoying it.

      Yes, He has us "covered" in every way.

      Thank you, Pam.

      Delete
  6. I had a long comment here this morning, and put a link to a beautiful song that I dedicated to you, one of my favorites. It is entitled Carried to the Table by Leeland. I was so touched by this post when I read it this morning. Wanted you to know I am so proud of you, of your humility, of your perseverance, of your faith, of your hard work. It is paying off now. And I am praying for Mike. We are entering a new season in our nation.

    Love you much, dear Lolita.

    Here is the link: if it does work when you click on it, just copy it and paste it to your browser.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy9CGymYvuA&feature=player_embedded

    Blessings...
    Lidia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now, Sister Lidia, my fellow worshiper friend, you are making me cry. You always lead me to beautiful and very fitting songs, according to the situation I am in, and where I am in our God.

      Thank you. I will listen to it over and over again.

      I love you too, dear Sister Lidia.

      Delete
  7. Oh, dear Lolita...

    I meant to give you this link, of the same beautiful song, but with such appropriate pictures. See it for yourself... you will not stop crying, like me.

    The song becomes more powerful with the pictures.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy9CGymYvuA

    Much love
    Lidia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, friend. I am going to the link.

      You supply me with music which so lacking in my life. I have some but always the familiar ones.

      Thanks so much, you become my lyricist and melodies.

      Delete
  8. Friend, I'm back. Forgot to tell you something. While I was reading this post, what kept going on in my mind was this song, and a picture of you carrying your husband when he needed you to believe in him, and to be strong enough to carry him to the table. What a blessings... really my eyes were full of tears.

    Just wanted to share this with you. Sayang naman if I don't let you know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Napaka-totoo. Talagang tunay na sayang. Kasi nagbibigay ng sigla at buhay sa akin and inyong salita.

      Maraming salamat, aking dakila at mapagmahal na kapatid kay Kristo.

      Delete
    2. Another thing I'd like to thank God about this is that the change in me, little by little is making changes in my husbands attitude too.

      Praises to my God and grateful for the supplies including strength and patience and love.

      Delete

Thanks for your company. I am glad you are here. Your encouraging word is appreciated. It brings joy like a cool breeze on a hot day. GBU!