An Empty Seat

Its fall season. Where the trees show forth the beautiful colors God created and where the leaves begin to fall.  As we take in the crisp air and enjoy the cooler weather; it is also reminders of what is to come, which are the holidays.

Oh yes a time to gather together with our families.  At time to enjoy good food and conversation.  Some admire the beauty of their Christmas trees and enjoy exchanging gifts.  While the holidays can be one’s happiness, for others it can be one’s pain.

With this pandemic, so many have experienced lost.  I am still in shock of how many widows out there that is in their twenties and thirties.  For some a seat that was filled last year will be empty this year. 

That empty chair will remind them of the hurt of a love one no longer being here to share in such a festive time.  That empty chair will remind a widow that they will no longer get to share the holidays with the loves of their lives.  That empty chair can be the lost of someone’s parent where mom use to make the food so delicious that it melted in your mouth, but now she’s not cooking this year.  For more than I want to think about, the holidays this year can be a lot of people first experience of pain.

Revelations 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

This will be my first holiday season without my husband.  I can’t believe I will not be bringing in this upcoming New Year with him.  Yet I heard a knock at my door.  Jesus is saying here I am, knocking at the door waiting for you to let me in.  So for those of us that are finding it hard during this holiday season, let’s open our door and let Abba, Father come in and fill that empty seat.  He wants to dine with us.  His presence is so overwhelming with peace, comfort, and strength.  His love is greater than any love a human being can give.  I decided to open my door and let him sit with me at my table. Will you?  He can turn beauty for our ashes, an oil of joy for our mourning if we let him!