Beth Moore tells a story about a dog that her friend owned. The dog was pregnant, and a few weeks before delivery, she was in an unfortunate accident with a lawn mower. The vet had to remove her two back legs, but the puppies were still viable. The dog relearned how to walk-- dragging her hind legs behind her. The puppies were born and were in fine health. But when they learned to walk, they walked the same as their mom-- dragging their hind legs behind them. They were not lame, but they didn't know any better.

That story made me weep. I couldn't shake the weight of that message-- my children will have the same struggles, the same weaknesses, the same lameness that I have. They will be crippled by the bad choices I make, the willful decisions I insist on, the horrible sins that I commit. Suddenly, the need for transformation becomes so much more apparent, so much more pressing, so.. immediate. Is there any hope?

And I am reminded of the story of Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the grandson of Saul, the son of Jonathan. He was lame in both feet, wounded in a fall when the nurse who carried him ran away from the danger that threatened them. (2 Samuel 4) One day David asks is there anyone left in Saul's family that I can show kindness to on account of Jonathan? And he finds out that Jonathan, the friend of his youth, had a son. Mephibosheth. He was lame. Wounded, crippled, forgotten. But David showed him mercy, on account of his friend Jonathan. And we have a picture of the love of God, who shows us mercy on account of His Son, Jesus. He overlooks our guilt, He overlooks our lameness, and He invites us to dine at His table.

There is a song I love by Leeland that shares this message much better than I do.
See a video here

Carried to the Table

Wounded and forsaken
I was shattered by the fall
Broken and forgotten
Feeling lost and all alone
Summoned by the King
Into the Master’s courts
Lifted by the Savior
And cradled in His arms

I was carried to the table
Seated where I don’t belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don’t see my brokenness anymore
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord
I’m carried to the table
The table of the Lord

Fighting thoughts of fear
And wondering why He called my name
Am I good enough to share this cup
This world has left me lame
Even in my weakness
The Savior called my name
In His Holy presence
I’m healed and unashamed

You carried me, my God
You carried me

My favorite line: And I don’t see my brokenness anymore
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord

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Posted by Karen (Simplyamusingblog.com)

As much as I've read Beth Moore, I don't remember that story. I needed that today. My children needed it. Thanks for the powerful reminder that I need to be the most positive influence my kids have.

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