Troubled Tables
Holidays can be difficult for so many reasons. Seasons meant to be joyful and bright can feel chaotic, dark, and depressing. The thrill of gathering family around the table is often bittersweet and quickly comes to an end.
For me, every year and every holiday brings the heartbreaking reminder that greatly beloved people are missing from our family table.
I remember my grandpa’s smile and his laugh. He was soft-spoken and kind and his gentleness made everyone feel at ease. My grandma was silly and stubborn and loved to sing hymns. They have both been absent from our table for years, but the weight of their deaths still hangs heavily over our holiday gatherings.
My grandparents’ deaths also brought change to our extended family. Holidays used to be spent at grandpa’s house. It was a full day of feasting and laughter. Now each family group gathers separately.
And there is a precious child who is missing from the table. We have lost years of the joy and laughter that we would have shared over my sister’s baby who was not born alive.
How my heart longs to gather and fellowship with my dear friends from all over the country and around the world! I have not even had the privilege of meeting some of my friends in person. Holidays are yet another reminder of the distance between us.
Many of us feel the struggle and the heartache that holidays can bring. For some, the financial burden of the season can wreak havoc. Others have conflict within their families that is agitated by obligatory holiday parties. Many have damaged and awkward friendships, sick and aging loved ones, or marriages that are on the brink of disaster.
It’s hard. And we all have the nagging feeling in our hearts that says that this is not how things were meant to be.
Tasting His Promises
Lately, I’ve been so encouraged by remembering the promises of God. The struggle and the heartbreak are for our good, and on some wonderful day, we will be delivered from it all. Every bit of the suffering and pain that we faithfully endure right now will be used for our growth and God’s glory. Our faithfulness through trials will be rewarded, and we will be told, “Well done.” What a glorious and generous promise!
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved through various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith-the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:6-9 NKJV
These things that Jesus has offered us are incredible. But there is even more to look forward to.
“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ Then He Who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’” Revelation 21:3-5 NKJV
Tomorrow’s Table
Imagine with me a vast dining hall brilliantly glowing with warm light. The long table is beautifully dressed and filled with lovingly prepared food. Everything is perfect and ready for honored guests. The chairs soon fill with elegantly dressed people that you fervently love. The feast is full of joyous laughter and stories of the Great King Jesus. Each of the faces you see are youthful and unmarked by age or sickness. The conversations are delightful and pleasant. Seated across from you are those who for years were missing from your family table. And when the celebration has ended, the parting will be marked by exuberant anticipation of the next feast.
What an experience! This extravagant picture is not a far-off dream, it is our future reality. Everlasting life, gladness, celebration, and togetherness are just over the horizon. He will make all things new!
No more death.
No more sorrow.
No more struggle.
No more pain.
What a celebration we will have! Praise God for our future eternal feast!
“Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:13 NKJV
Megan Stopera is a wife, mom of two, and a home educator in the Kansas City area. She loves American history, jazz music, and studying God’s creation.
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