Empty Seats

Thanksgiving food fail number one just went over the bank for Mama Bear and her babies. Along with the food failure, I have also punctured the end of my finger. Gourmet chef, I am not. I just don’t get why I cannot cook! Is it a focus thing? My sister can’t focus any more than I can, and she can put Martha Stewart to shame. And my daughter, she could take on Bobby Flay any day. But, me! I can’t even cook the Sandra Lee way, and that’s with a semi-homemade recipe. My apologies to all the folks who have to tend to restaurants during holidays because I’m part of your problem. Those of us who can hardly boil water safely use caterers sent from Heaven!

All joking aside, I don’t know anyone who isn’t affected by spare seats during holiday dinners. I know this will be the first time a previously occupied seat sits empty for some folks. For others, it might not be the first time but just another holiday with an empty seat. Whether it’s the first time or the fiftieth, there is no debating that empty chairs hurt the heart and are challenging to get through. I remember the first times without Mom and Dad. I just kept repeating two phrases to myself, “There is only one first” and “One foot in front of the other.”

I’m one of the folks who has seen empty chairs for a while now. And with time, I can now see things in a different light, including the Thanksgiving my parents are attending. I imagine a Thanksgiving table in Heaven to be a never-ending brown-stained farm wood table that goes on and on. There will be foods of every type, veggies and fruits galore. No one will be missing, and no one will go hungry. Ascending in the air with splendor never known to man will be God the Father with His Son on His right. Singing and shouts of praise will echo the valley the whole time. There is no sadness and, indeed, no sickness in Heaven. 

As I’m writing this, I’m thinking about the folks I’m missing, all of whom were older individuals. My heart hurts for those who are missing young folks at their tables. Young lives that never had the days here to fall in love, marry, have children, and grow old. I don’t know why some folks get longer days here than others. What I do know is how important it is to lift up each other in prayer and call out the names of those who are hurting to God. In chapter 5, verse 16, James says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Prayer is both powerful and effective, meaning it works. 

Do you know someone who is experiencing empty seats for the first time? Do you know someone who is spending another holiday missing a loved one? Pray for them. Call out their names today and ask God to shower them with the grace and mercy that only He has. 

Thank you for reading this blog. I pray for you and your family to have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!