FATHER’S TABLE GRACE
Author Unknown
While we sit here at our table, my family’s head bowed low . . . My thoughts return to childhood, to the finest guy I know. He doesn’t speak good English, he’s just a simple man . . . But when he talks to the Lord, even a little child can understand. I was awful young and reckless, but the thought still comes to me . . . When I told my dad I felt that I was old enough to leave. He sat there at the table. . .A look came on his face. . .He never spoke another word. . .’Til he said the table grace.
“Our gracious heavenly Father. . .We’re all gathered here today, to give Thee thanks for blessings so humbly we pray. . .My oldest son is leavin’ and I’m sure he knows what’s best. . .But just in case, will you stand by and help him stand the test?
And Lord he’s awful neglectful about church on Sunday morn. . .And if he gets with the wrong crowd, will you let him hold Your arm? And if he flies too high, will you clip his wings? But don’t let him fall too hard, I’m sure that You can handle things.
Oh, I’ve tried my best from day to day. . .To teach him right from wrong. . .He’s grown to be a fine young man, Lord, . . . But You’ve always blessed our home. I just pray for understanding that he won’t build upon the sand, . . . But I won’t worry half as much, Lord, if I know he’s in Your hands. And, oh yea, Lord, it won’t be long until I’ll be comin’ home. . .We’ll have some long talks—You and I. Don’t make me wait too long.
We beg Thee, Lord, for guidance, please cleanse us of our sins. . .So we all can meet in heaven. . .In Jesus name, Amen.”
The table was silent as tears ran down my face. . .From that day on I’ve based. . .My life on father’s table grace.
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Regarding yesterday’s post. . .I can never thank our heavenly Father enough for giving me a mother who taught me “in the way that he should go.” She was ‘old fashioned’ having been born in 1898. I was always proud of that – wow! – 1898. And my father was born in 1894. I was the youngest of 8 kids. My father was 50 and my mother was 46 ½ years old when I appeared on the scene. I was very close to my Mom.
The Holy Spirit placed that letter in my heart and so I had to write it to my brother’s and sisters. Some of them go to church and some never do. They don’t need a religion ~~ they need Jesus.
In May, 1993, the phone rang at 4:30 A.M. and my brother told me that my sister, Elvera, had passed away. She was only 55. After the conversation, I was sitting on my bed and thought, “Oh, Father, she’s gone. Where did she go? Now she is really in Reality! You can tell these people. . .but I don’t know. . . . . .” Immediately! the Holy Spirit reminded me of this letter.
It wasn’t until I returned to California . . . that I was thinking about this incident. All of a sudden I got to realizing that she did make it Home. . .because, why would the Holy Spirit remind me of this letter . . . my sister must have asked Jesus to come into her heart. No wonder I had such peace.
Also, when I would watch ‘my program’ on T.V. – This Is Your Day – I would lift Elvera up and pray for healing. (She had had ovarian cancer and after 5 years, it came back.) One morning, Benny Hinn, David and Kent were singing a song I had never heard. I intently listened as they repeated it. The next day, they were singing it again. I was learning it, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness, oh Lord, Great is Thy faithfulness.” All week they sang this song. After hearing it sung a few times, I switched from praying for healing to praying for salvation. I would be alone, so when Benny would pray on the program, I prayed out loud in the kitchen, “Father, I ask that you answer my Mother’s prayer.” And then I reminded Him what her prayer was . . . “That all my children will be saved, I may not see it, but I know that You are Faithful.” That was my prayer for a few days – then she was gone.
I know, with every fiber of my being, that Elvera is in heaven with my Mom. And the rest of my family? They still need Jesus. . .but He is faithful.
“It is not your entrance but your exit
that really counts.” (Unknown) | 
