Plenty of Room at the Table

My mom, Ridley and I went to Amish Country today.  We had a lovely time shopping and having lunch.  We stopped at Walnut Creek Furniture, one of my mom's favorite stores.  The minute we walked in the store she smiled and said, "Look at that table."  I turned my head to see a breathtaking site.  The table is pictured above, but the photo doesn't do justice for how grand it is.  I don't know anyone with a room big enough for it, and red is far from my favorite color, but there was just something about that table.  I didn't tell my mom at the time, but it actually brought tears to my eyes.  At first I wasn't sure why I was drawn to it, but then I realized...it reminded me of heaven.

Some of my most precious memories include sitting at a table with those I love, sharing food.  Whether it was squeezing around my grandparents' tiny kitchen table eating Thanksgiving leftovers with my parents, aunt and uncle, or gathered around my husband's grandma's table for a Sunday night potluck, with extended family scattered throughout the house...these moments are like photos in an album, taking me to a simpler time, when those who are dear to me were still here.  These memories are bitter-sweet, because I know they are gone forever.  They are also filled with fear, because as time marches on, more people I love will make their way to heaven, leaving me behind with only memories and the hope of a future reunion...

Most earthly tables are flawed in one way or another.  It seems there is never enough room...legroom, elbowroom, room for food.  My in-laws added an addition onto their home several years ago.  They had enough room for all of the family to sit together at one table.  It is a beautiful room, but as the family has grown, the table and room have remained the same.  Inevitably, if the whole family is there for a meal a few of us sit at another table nearby. My husband and I have a beautiful table in our dining room that has large leaves that come out of each end.  When the table is fully extended it can seat up to fifteen people.  As nice as it is, the legs are strangely placed, always leaving a few guests uncomfortable.  The table only came with six chairs, so when we have had a large crew we have to use mismatched seats, robbing from the beauty of the table.

The Walnut Creek table has plenty of room and perfect leg placement.  There are twelve upholstered chairs that fit flawlessly.  I can just envision all of my family, even those who are gone, sitting at it sharing a meal.  I can picture it set with delicate china, silverware and crystal, an elegant floral centerpiece glowing in candlelight.  I can see it overflowing with a bounty of scrumptious food...a feast fit for a king...

I think that is why it reminded me of heaven.  I could just see Jesus sitting at the head.  I could envision all of my loved ones reunited, sharing a meal in a place where there are no more tears, no more pain, no more death.  A place where we will never have to wonder if this will be our last meal all together.  And best of all, it will be a feast fit for a king...Jesus the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16).  He will be there to fellowship with us, to comfort us, to wipe every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4).  We will be able to thank him for all he sacrificed so that we could be there (Romans 3:25).  It will be a place of unending joy, unending love, unending thanksgiving.  And when the meal is done, we will know another one will be just around the corner.  There will be no end to the celebration, and there will be plenty of room at the table for all who choose to be there (John 3:16  2 Peter 3:9).

For more information about eating in heaven see Randy Alcorn's answer to the question Will we eat good food in heaven? How will it taste?