A conference table sits in the center of our one-room office here in Birmingham. In its heyday, the table was a deep chocolate brown color; now it has more than its share of caramel-colored scratches. The octagonal table (whose sturdy legs have a knack for collecting dust bunnies) is broad enough to hold the sprawl of a region's worth of sitebook binders, big enough to invite all six of us to gather 'round (on the rare occasion that all six are here), and strong enough to hold up innumerable prayers. Throughout the school-year, this was where we came to pray - sometimes daily, sometimes weekly, always with hearts humbled by a gracious God who allows conversation with himself to be a significant part of our workday.
Now that summer is here, the old church building that houses our office takes on a different look. While I am in town, I am sleeping here, showering here, eating my meals here. Every nook and cranny of this building is open to me now, yet when we take time for devotions each morning, it is to the old faithful office conference table that I am drawn.
This table has been an altar at which we've offered so many prayers throughout my time in this office. We have prayed for professional things - the hiring of staff, housing in our communities, opportunities to serve these communities well - and personal things - broken relationships, the needs of our families far away, friends whose mid-day calls make us stop in our workday tracks and cry out to God.
And the people of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines." And Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel...
Today, I sit at this table in awe of the way that God has answered these prayers. I picture the sixteen staff whose names, faces, and stories are on my mind today. I think of the churches and schools they are beginning to turn into their summer homes. My mind wanders to the friends they are meeting in their communities, whom we have lifted up in prayer in times of hurricane, financial need and poor health. I envision the churches who will soon be arriving at these YouthWorks sites, and am reminded that each of them is an answer to prayer. All year long, we have prayed; all year long, God has been preparing, orchestrating, responding, teaching us to hang on to him for dear life and trust him to provide.
... and the LORD answered him... Then Samuel took a stone and set it [there] and called its name Ebenezer [stone of help], for he said, "Till now the LORD has helped us." I Samuel 7:8,9,12
Till now the Lord has helped us. Sitting at this table I call Ebenezer, I am convinced that he will continue to do so, for his glory.
Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by thy help I'm come
And I hope by thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
(from "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing")
2 comments:
Actually, quite a profound little thought. God does desire to protect the old and the new. I'm quite impressed.
Jenilyn, I have just taken sometime to really read through most of your blog and I have to say I am very touched. I am touched at the level of vulnerablity you have shown and I appreciate the honest look we get of at least part of your heart. I know as the summer goes, you won't have the time to write much here, but if you do, know that your words don't fall on "deaf ears". I will be praying for you and I will be able to picture in my mind you sitting at that table...your Bible open...you heart focused on behalf of another...and know that at least some of those times you will have someone with their heart focused on behalf of you.
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