Sunday Dinner: Psalm 23:5--"The More I Seek You"

Okay, if you've eaten here before, you know the drill. On Sundays I serve a scripture followed by a sweet dessert of song.

This week the verse is:

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over.

Psalm 23:5

It's funny that the way I view this verse has completely changed because of our adoption. I used to picture God's table as one of those long, formal "seats 50" dinette sets. Like a scene from a movie with the king at one end and the lowly subject at the other. So the thought of dining with the Almighty was an image of having the privilege of just being in the same grand banquet hall.

But as I've watched our Daniel grow to know and love us, I see this verse through his eyes. I remember the first times we took him on outings away from the orphanage, Daniel was a little nervous around us. When we took him to restaurants, and he would eat quietly. I think he was even afraid to order in case it cost too much. Once at McDonald's he worked up the courage to ask for ice cream. When Brad said of course, he swallowed hard and mustered up (in Spanish), "With chocolate, too, please?" Bless his heart. He was afraid to ask for something so easy for us to give. (Hmmmm. I guess we do that with God, too.)

When we were living in Guatemala in June, we got to take him to many restaurants and I even got to cook meals for our family at a house we rented. And Daniel's behavior with us was so different from those early days. He laughed with us and snuggled up with us and boldly led the prayer. I'd give him my papas fritas (French fries) and he'd offer a taste of his meal. Still polite and respectful, but no longer nervous of doing the wrong thing. It is simply because he is no longer a guest, but part of our family. (This is a pic from one of our favorite restaurants.)


The verse goes on to say that God dines with us in front of our enemies. Although the restaurants in Guatemala often had signs at the doorway asking for no guns (I'm not joking--leave the ammo in the car), the only danger I felt dining there was possible gastrointestinal attacks (sorry, too much information). (This was displayed outside of many restaurants.)


But there was something special about taking Daniel out in public. We were showing the world that he belonged to us and we would provide for all he needed. And then some of the most beautiful words in the 23rd Psalm, "my cup runneth over", remind me of Daniel's sweet face in finding out he can have the chocolate on top of the ice cream. So often I'll pray for something and God will provide far beyond what I had ever even hoped for.

Today's dessert is one of my all time favorite songs--"The More I Seek You" by Kari Jobe. The lyrics so perfectly say what I would certainly tell my Heavenly Father if I were seated at His table. Please take a moment to listen to the words--either playing on the blog or through the video.


This week is Thanksgiving and there will be lots of tables prepared before us. I'm not yet sure if I'll be spending Thanksgiving with my family here or with Daniel in Guatemala. Either way I'll be rejoicing in the gift of the ones God has graciously placed around my table. My cup certainly overflows and for that I'm truly grateful.

So Thankful,
Kathie