I stood in a room filled to the brim with people. The beautiful kind of people. All of them in groups—some were laughing together, others huddled close for intimate conversation. I looked around at these women with their perfect hair and cute shoes and everything in me wanted to run. I didn’t belong there. I wasn’t pretty enough, talented enough, smart enough, good enough.
Tears welled up in my eyes and I turned to leave the room as my heart pounded and the voices in my head screamed, “You don’t belong.” With my head down, I moved toward the door when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
“Teri Lynne, where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you!”
As I turned around I saw the smiling face of someone way more important than me. She’s a “big blogger” … everyone knows her name. She wrapped her arms around me, ignoring the shock on my face and tears in my eyes, and said, “C’mon, there are some people here who need to know you.”
We sat at a table and she introduced me to some incredible women who are beautiful and talented and wise and hilarious and genuine. I knew I didn’t really deserve to sit at that table. But I was welcome there.
Maybe you can relate?
There’s this amazing story captured in 2 Samuel 9 … brings me to tears every time I read it. The story of David and Mephibosheth. Do you know it?
Mephibosheth was Jonathan’s son. Jonathan, you remember, was Saul’s son and David’s very best friend. Jonathan knew David was God’s choice for king of Israel and he asked only one thing from David—that David would treat his family with “faithful love” (from 1 Samuel 20:15 NLT).
Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle and David was crowned king of Israel. He remembered his promise to Jonathan. In 2 Samuel 9, we find this amazing story of David’s great kindness. He invites Mephibosheth to move into the palace and sit at the king’s table, right there with Absolam, Amnon, Solomon, and all of David’s sons.
David extended extravagant kindess to Mephibosheth—not because of anything Mephibosheth had done but simply because of his love for Jonathan. David offered Mephibosheth a place at the table, treated him as equal with his own sons.
This, y’all, this is what God has done for us! He has extended extravagant kindness … not for our sakes but simply out of His perfect love. We are welcomed at the King’s table and treated as equal with His own Son.
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:16-17
You are welcome at the table … How will you live in that promise today?
Share with us how you have experienced being welcomed at the King’s table.
Thank you for putting this so honestly and Biblically. As an adoptee I always struggled with the feelings of belonging. Everyday as I grew up I felt as you described. Walking through the door into the family of God has given me my identity and confidence that I do belong somewhere, but more importantly to Someone. I still struggle at times in new, unknown situations but it gives me great comfort to have God by my side at every table I sit at.
This is beautiful, Teri Lynne. We can probably all relate to your experience in the room. May we also, in turn, be the ones, like God, who welcome others to the table.