Inspired by . . . a special dinner

Inspired by . . . a special dinner

 

Focusing on Thanksgiving as a Lifestyle, not just a holiday.

 Freedom From Want ~ Norman Rockwell

 

Does your typical Thanksgiving look like a Norman Rockwell painting? Are you blessed with family, and friends, a warm place to gather and an abundance of food?

Freedom from want.

Although we are a small family unit now, I enjoyed large family gatherings growing up. Looking back on the holiday feasts we had at our small family farm in Vermont, the farmhouse overflowing with family and friends, I’m more thankful now for what I had then, than I ever was as a child.

 

Old Farmhouse  - Scanned image

 

Part of that thankfulness comes from more fully knowing the Hand from which the blessing came; and part of it is understanding the reality that for many most people the Norman Rockwell setting does not exist.

Sometimes the family, friends, places to gather and abundance of food are not the blessings they seem. Sometimes they just don’t exist.

However, there is one dinner to which we are all invited. There are no special requirements, other than, you must come of your own free will, wear a robe of repentance, and remove your shoes before you enter. The place where you’re standing is holy ground. Don’t worry, Beloved. If you forget your robe and your shoes, one look at His marvelous face will remind you.

 

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it,

and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.

For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on

until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Matt 26:26-30

 

Even after receiving such a blessing from their Lord the disciples experienced loneliness and pain. You will too. That is the way of this world. But there is one more feast I want to share with you today. If you have willingly received the blessing of the first meal with Jesus, then your name is on the invitation list for this feast - - A feast beyond imagination!

 

And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude,

as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying,

“Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and His wife has made herself ready.”

And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen,

clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Then he said to me, “Write:

‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’”

And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” Rev 19:6-10

 

The Wedding Feast of the Lamb! There is no loneliness here. No disappointment or pain. At this final heavenly celebration with our Risen Lord we will truly know freedom from want.

This is a promise we can be thankful for today.

This hope is the anchor of our souls, a reality that will carry us through during times of darkness and despair.

 

kk_friday 

 

No matter what your Thanksgiving looks like

this year, may the Love of the Lamb

surround you.

 

Blessings,

 

 

 

PS Don’t forget to check out my Facebook page for daily inspirations on cultivating a grateful heart! I would love for you to join the discussion!

Note: My inspiration for this series comes from the November 2009 issue of Today in the Word. A ministry of Moody Bible Institute.

#monthofthanks

#TellHisStory

 

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