Sharon Sloan

Delighted by His Word. Dependent on His Grace.

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The Table For Two – Prepared For Moi

July 15, 2009 | 18 Comments

“You prepare a table before me…
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life, and I will dwell
in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23:5-6

At the risk of sounding like a pampered devotion diva (smiles), I am sharing this amazing “only God” testimony with you for His glory. I stood…and I sat…in complete jaw-dropping awe. I share this with the heart of these two verses: “Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man’s behalf.” Psalm 66:5 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31

Last summer and this summer, we rented from some fabulous friends their shore house on Asbury Avenue in Ocean City, NJ. We love the location, and the house is just right for our little family.

As I was packing for our beach vacation a couple of weeks ago, I silently shared a thought with the Lord. “Lord, I’d really like to have a special place to have my morning quiet time with You at the shore house this year. You know how I like to spread out a little for my quiet time and study time. Last summer at the shore, I used the kitchen table every day, which was dandy. Yet it would be wonderful to have a special little spot where I can spread out a bit and not have to put everything away when I am done every morning. A place where I can meet with You. That would be great. Just a little heart wish, Lord. Thanks.”

On Saturday, July 4th, when we arrived for our shore vacation, Jim took the first of many heavy loads up to the house while I was organizing the cherubs and gathering as many things in my arms as I could carry. When he came back down, he enthusiastically said, “Honey, there is a new little table (like a desk) in the living area that is perfect for morning quiet time with the Lord. And I can put my lap top there for when I need to log into work.” He was very excited, and so was I. Wow, Lord, thank you!

When I went into the house the first time, wobbling along and looking like an octopus carrying a dozen miscellaneous packed bags for our week’s vacation, I took a look at the unexpected addition of furniture to the shore house. It was perfect! Wow, God, thank you! I was so thankful to the Lord for remembering my little prayer.

On Tuesday, July 7th, while we were at a water park on the boardwalk, I called my sweet girlfriend, Tricia, who owns the shore house to see how she was feeling. (She had become very ill the weekend we left for vacation.) Thankfully, she was starting to feel better after receiving treatment and medication. She was on the road to recovery, and we were so thankful.

Toward the end of our phone conversation, I said to Tricia, “By the way, we love the table you put in the living area of the house. It’s perfect for morning quiet time!”

Tricia said, “What table?”
“You know, the little table between the fire place and the front door.”
“We didn’t put a table there.”
“Yes, you did.”
“No, we didn’t.” There was silence on the phone for a few moments. “Hold on…” She called to her daughter to check with her, and she said “no”. Oh come on! My heart started fluttering and tingles ran through my body. Could it be? Did He?

As soon as we got home from the water park that afternoon, I took a picture of the table with my phone and sent it to Tricia. Her reply: She had never seen the table before. She double checked with her husband and the cleaning lady (the small handful of people who have key access to their shore home). Nothing. Nobody knew about the table or how it got there. But God did. As my husband later said, the Master Carpenter prepared that devotion table for me. He made reservations for a “Table For Two”. A place to meet with Him.


God heard, remembered and answered my prayer. He provided a table for me. Literally. He met me there. He encouraged and blessed my heart in a remarkable way. He spoke His love and acceptance to my heart in a way I will always remember. He made my cup overflow. His goodness and love are following me, and I am SO THANKFUL and so humbled.

Before we left the shore house at the end of our week’s vacation, I stood at the table with my hands on it. I prayed for all the people who had sat there and who will sit there in the future. I prayed they would meet with God there, that it would be a special place for them as well. A table prepared by Him.

Ask Him to meet you. He will. The table is set. Join Him. A table for two.

“Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious! Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your deeds!’ Come and see what God has done, how awesome His works in man’s behalf!” Psalm 66:1-3,5


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Filed Under: Joy in the Truth

Comments

  1. Lysa TerKeurst says

    July 15, 2009 at 11:09 am

    Oh my stars… Sharon that gave me serious cold chills and warm fuzzies all at the same time.

    That is simply amazing.

    Oh sweet sister, can you write this up as a devotion for P31? This is such a special story of turning our desires over to the Lord, making the choice to see his answers, and remembering to give great Thanksgiving for His provision.

    Wow.

    Love you friend!!!

    Reply
  2. Holly says

    July 15, 2009 at 11:32 am

    Amazing! I love stories like this Sharon! He will never leave us…
    Wish I could go back to NJ beach!
    love,
    holly

    Reply
  3. Mich says

    July 15, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    Speechless…

    Reply
  4. Unknown says

    July 15, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    Well Sharon, what a wonderful answer to prayer! And what a wonderful response that you get to be published in a P31 devotional. I believe that's how I found you in the first place, isn't it?

    God bless your sweet (and spoiled by your Father!) heart. LOL! I just put that second part in because you called yourself a devotional diva. Nah, you're just spoiled by your Father, the King. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Unknown says

    July 15, 2009 at 12:46 pm

    Ok, now that is a beautiful story!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Love it!

    He always gives us the desires of our hearts!

    Love you,
    Jill

    Reply
  6. Jim Sloan says

    July 15, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    Beautiful, honey. I'm weeping. God is so good. He cares so much about the details of our lives, and when our prayers are for a greater portion of Him, how He so generously meets with us and blesses us in ways we could never imagine. Thank you for your devotion to Him.

    Reply
  7. Runner Mom says

    July 15, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    Love, love this!! GOd is just awesome! He meets our every need–even a table that simply appeared because you prayed!! Love how He answers our prayers. Perfect scriptures too! Can't wait to see this in a P31 devo!!

    Love you!
    Susan

    Reply
  8. Tami and Bobby Sisemore Family says

    July 15, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    That was an amazing story full of the love of the Father 🙂 THANK YOU for sharing! 🙂

    Blessings,
    Tami
    PRAYING JEREMIAH HOME QUICKLY
    http://www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com

    Reply
  9. Pinkshoelady says

    July 15, 2009 at 5:09 pm

    Hi Sharon,
    Wow!
    I loved this!
    Next time the enemy tries to discourage you about God's love just flash Him that picture of the table!

    It does say that He will "prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies!"

    Oh how wonderful His love for us!

    Blessings dear Friend!
    Pamela

    Reply
  10. Joyful says

    July 15, 2009 at 7:34 pm

    Oh Sharon…what an incredible gift the Lord gave you. His longing to meet with you and prepare a place for you to meet with Him.

    The floor beside an unmade bed was my meeting place today, but it was just as sweet because He was there.

    Question…did the table disappear after you left? Just wondering…

    Hugs,
    Joy

    Reply
  11. Mommahen says

    July 16, 2009 at 4:53 am

    Oh Sharon, I bet when you requested that table the Lord was already smiling that parental smile. You know…the one where your child asks you for the smallest most unthought of gift for Christmas or Birthday and you smile as you listen because you've already bought it? Thank you for reminding us all that He loves to bless us in these ways.

    Reply
  12. christy rose says

    July 16, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    Oh Wow Sharon! What a story! Oh How He loves us!!!

    Reply
  13. Beth Herring says

    July 16, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    I LOVE that story! God is the God of the impossible!!

    Reply
  14. Jen says

    July 16, 2009 at 8:19 pm

    I LOVE hearing how God provides. What an amazing story! A love note from Him to you…

    Reply
  15. Fields of gold says

    July 17, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    Wow!!! How special!! It is wonderful to hear the mysteries of heaven presenting themselves and unfolding before our very eyes!! Thank you for sharing God's goodness and grace. With love!

    Reply
  16. Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend says

    July 18, 2009 at 12:32 am

    An amazing story….I loved it…Thanks for sharing it.

    Reply
  17. Heather says

    July 19, 2009 at 4:10 am

    I love reading all these comments!!!! Such a beautiful accounting of God's rich provision in what we find to be simple little things….He is in every detail! Thank you for sharing your gift for putting into words what God is doing in your heart, such a gift, my friend! Such a gift, used to His glory. Beautiful!

    Love & Hugs,
    Heather

    Reply
  18. Edie says

    July 20, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    That is so Awesome! I am in tears. I love God all the time, but when He does something so real that we feel His physical presence and abundant love poured out on us, it's overwhelming. Thanks for sharing this Sharon. It really blessed me.

    Reply

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