Thankful Thursday At The Table

Hello friends!
It's Thankful Thursday!
Please come to my table.

I've shared, here at the Shed, that Psalm 23 used to be a funeral Psalm to me. (forgive me Lord- but at that time I just wasn't getting it?) When I'd hear it; I felt like I was wearing a jet-black mourning dress; seriously! But now when I read it, and hear it; I see green; life, and wearing white! One verse in particular has just been washing over me. I've been meditating on it daily ... and have even asked one of my mentors what it meant to her? Here it is:

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." Psalm 23: 5- The part on my mind, is the first part of the verse. "Thou preparest a table before me in the the presence of mine enemies."

Day by day.... this has been in my heart; doing jumping jacks,cartwheels, and somersaults. The passage has come to me through a variety of ways .... as if to say, "look at me!... open your eyes and see me." This morning, ... as I did the Ruth study; on page 75 if you have the same book, I read about "Thee encounter." Here we were invited to the table! This is where Ruth found herself sitting at Boaz's table. The lesson also brought us to 2 Samuel 9: 1-12 when King David sought out someone from the house of Saul, whom he might show kindness,- for the sake of his friend dear Jonathon. He found out that Jonathon still had a son named Mephibosheth who the bible says was crippled in both feet. (I too have a friend who can't walk, and who I'll be seeing later today. That fact got my attention all the more.) Anyhow, David had Mephibosheth brought before him and showed him incredible kindness. What got me was, King David told him, "and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually." Reading this today, with the connection of the table, my own friend, showing kindness and also how Psalm 23:5 has been so on my mind and heart; well; I can't tell you how amazing my time with the Lord was and what LIFE lessons He gave me. It tops my Thankful Thursday blessings, because God's revealing things through His word, and connecting them to my season..., my walk in faith, and even people He's placed on my own path. I can't help but shout it from the rooftop! God's word is very much alive! Psalm 23 is life. Jesus is alive and He is who I'm most thankful of all!

I can hardly contain my excitement!
I'm thankful for the Ruth ladies who sat around my farmhouse table Tuesday night. I know God led us there and met us there.
I'm thankful for His providence!
I'm thankful for His truths to be leaping off the pages of His word, in ways that even this shabby olde gal can understand!
I'm thankful for His provision and protection! When journaling this week, I began recounting times He so lovingly cared for me, and placed people around me to help me along. There were many times He protected me from some very dangerous situations too! You know; I have a habit sometimes of forgetting all that He's done for me... kind of like the Israelites! When that happens, I tend to forget whom to trust.
He's my shepherd!
I'm thankful for the mercy and grace my Shepherd given me.
I'm thankful for the many kindnesses He lavishes on me!

John 10: 9-11 says, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."

Life.
In more abundance.
Now that's extravagant kindness!
Thanks Lord!