Come to the table.....

Last Saturday we celebrated Grace!  She was an amazing champ for her birthday.  She got passed from one person to the next, with everyone wanting a turn to hold and love on her.  She smiled and loved her way through the day.  She just beamed as everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to her.  And then she dug into the cake.  She didn't smash it, as some kids have been known to.  She rather daintily stuck one finger into the cake and ate it finger full by finger full.  She was in no hurry to stop.  Doug and Susie finally called a halt to the cake eating after several minutes.  The highlight of the party was an unexpected one.  After cake and presents and pinata for the kids, some of the party goers were gathered in the living room.  Grace was intrigued by the strings from the pinata.  And with her adoring fans watching, (unfortunately none of us with a video running) Grace took 7 or 8 steps across the room to get to her mom, who was holding those strings.  We tried to get her to do this again with videos running, but alas, she was having none of it.  But mark my words, it was an accomplishment.   And for the crowd of Grace lovers, it was a wonderful and treasured moment. 

This week I have been listening to a song that has really been speaking to me.  It is Come to the Table by Sidewalk Prophets.    It is interesting how a song can immediately grab your attention and this song did that on the opening lines for me......

We all start on the outside, the outside looking in

This is where grace begins

We were hungry, we were thirsty with nothing left to give

Oh the shape we were in

Just when all hope was lost, love opened the door for us.

I have been in two very different places with this song - both meaningful to me for very different reasons.  ***Side note - isn't it amazing how one song can speak to so many people, in so many different ways? 

Starting off with Grace and her birthday.  Her name couldn't be more perfect for her.  I have blogged about this before.  After Lucas' death, our family suddenly found ourselves in a world we never imagined.  It was a hard, difficult couple of years for me, and I can only imagine just how much harder it was for Doug and Susie.  Then, just as this song says, love opened the door for us - where Grace begins - when our sweet little Grace was born.  On Saturday, at her party, it was little Grace that drew everyone to the table to celebrate not only her birthday, but the love that has filled our family since her birth. It was Jesus who was the giver of hope for us during those dark days.  He continued to call out to us to come to Him, no matter what shape we were in, Jesus kept that door open for us to sit down at the table with Him.

The second reason that this song has been on my heart is that opening line.  Being outside and looking in.   Many years ago I struggled with this exact thought.  I felt like I was never invited to be on the inside.  I would see a wonderful banquet/party happening - but I would be looking through a window and never welcomed inside.  It was such a cold place to be.  This song would have been so helpful THEN!  Thankfully, the Holy Spirit managed to find me in that place, and show me that ALL are welcome at that party.  I just love how clearly the song expresses that invitation to all of us, no matter what is in our past.  No matter where we are right now.  I love the line in the song that says...

Come meet this motley crew of misfits, these liars and these thieves

There's no one un -welcomed here - no

The chorus of the song says it all.  Just come to the table. Come join the sinners, you have been redeemed.  Take your place beside the Savior, sit down and be set free.   

Just come to the table.  

Jesus, thank you for the invitation you give to ALL!  Holy Spirit, reach out right now to anyone who feels on the outside of this amazing party.  Thank you for your grace and mercy that finds us in those hard places.  Thank you Jesus for providing the table of  Communion so that we can enter into your presence more fully each time we come to the table.  Thank you for family, for birthdays and for your love.   Amen