An Empty Seat At the Table
As women, we go through many phases of our lives where there are “empty seats at the table.” We go from having a friend go with you to the bathroom, to the lunchroom crew in the school cafeteria…you name it and there was always a partner in crime or girlfriend that you have to go through life.
You know how people are uncomfortable eating out alone? When you are the only one of your friends who isn’t dating and you go to the event as the proverbial 3rd wheel? What about when you are in a relationship and you have someone there, but they aren’t there? Another empty seat at the table. When our children grow up to be the adults we prayed for them to be, and they leave we have children and they become the well-rounded successful adults we have reared them to be…and they leave. Yet again an empty seat at the table.
How do you feel, how do you push through? How do you call on God when you can’t see Him…at the table?
In the world we live in we are almost convinced that through our social media and text messaging connections, that we have no empty seats at our tables. We are convinced that through these connections that we are always “with” friends. When in actuality, we could see our “friend” at the local grocery store and never speak. Until we make real life, tangible connections, we will always have empty seats at our tables. Life is about relationship. What is relationship? The way in which two or more people or things are connected, or the state of being connected. Connection: relation, association, correspondence, bond, alliance.
God Promises Us Relationship
Romans 8:28-29
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, the he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God Is Always There
Isaiah 41:10
41 Fear thou not: for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Psalm 73:23-26
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faith: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
God holds you in the palm of His hand in EVERY situation!
Isaiah 43:1-2
1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passes through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
For All Your Labor You Will Be Rewarded
Isaiah 40:31
1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: For she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Through a personal relationship with Christ, a connection where you correspond, relate, a bond, you will learn there is never an empty seat at your table despite what you may see. When we talk to God daily, numerous times, we are able to understand Him. We are able to listen to what He has to say. We can recognize His voice anywhere we are. We are able to distinguish His ways from those who pretend to be as loyal. The same could be said for our friends. When we take time to correspond, check in on them, actually speak to them regularly, we are able to know who they are and we have a true relationship with them. It takes time. It takes effort and once we get back to those things in our lives, we will be so very thankful to know, there is never an empty seat at the table. Just remember, God is always at the table. He is just sitting there waiting on you to start the conversation.