Writings by Barri Cae MallinThe Empty Place at The TableWednesday 21 June 2006 - 07:35:39The king sat on his seat as usual, the seat by the wall; then Jonathan rose up and Abner sat down by Saul's side, but David's place was empty. I Sam 20:25 Family gatherings are always fun. Food, festivities and frolic accompany family get-togethers. I live away from my family, so that when I go home, our fun is multiplied, especially at mealtimes and holidays. My father's place was at the head of the table. As I have spent time in other homes throughout my life, this is the usual seating arrangement. Father at the head, mother across from him, the children at either side. My father died seven years ago, and the Parsha, the Torah portion for that week was I Samuel 20. Dad's Rabbi mentioned that from then on, my father's place would be empty. That brought great sadness to me. Not only would my father's place be empty at our family table, but since he knew not Yeshua, he would not be present at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The LORD comforted me during that time, and I am not to lament for his death, as that is needless sorrow in this life. Only God knows where he will spend eternity. I have been a believer for twenty-five years, and during that time I have lived in six different cities. I have been relocated all those times. In every relocation, I knew it was mandatory for my spiritual and emotional health to connect with a body of believers. You have been my family. For all of you who have known me in all of these different cities, you know that my only prayer request all this time has been for the salvation of my family. O LORD, may my family table at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb be filled! My oldest brother Scott, came to faith in 1973 through the ministry of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He had his eye on a girl, who invited him to an FCA huddle meeting. It was there that he heard God's wonderful salvation message, and he was saved. One year after I was saved, did I learn this. It still brings joy to my heart. Scott is the closest person, kin to me, who knows the LORD. This means everything to me. It was not until 1993 that I found out that another cousin of mine was a believer. I sent a family newsletter out and he had read it, and wrote me. He made mention of the messianic congregation, Beth Yeshua, that he attended. I knew it well and called him. I could not wait to hear back from him! Many of you know him, Josh Shaftel. Later that day, we connected, and he told me that yes, he is a believer, and that he knew of another cousin, Nancy Mallin Kohn, also who believed in Yeshua. Since this cousin was from my father's Orthodox side of the family, this brought me great joy. Yet here we are, twelve years later, and I just received some more good news. One more seat at my family table at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be filled! Through the 2004 family newsletter, another relative just told me today that they have been a believer for three decades. This news made my year. There is absolutely nothing else in this life that brings me such joy than to know of salvations, and especially within my own Jewish family. Will your family table be filled at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Father, In Yeshua's name, we beseech You to save those in our households who do not know You yet. Father, please send believers to them to show them true love, Messiah's love, in a way that they will desire to know You. Father, may all of our family tables at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb be filled, we ask this in the Wonderful name of Yeshua, Jesus. amen. "For all my father's household was nothing but dead men before my LORD the king; yet You set Your servant among those who ate at Your own table. II Sam. 19:28 |
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Copyright © Barri Cae Mallin. |
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