Last week, I walked into a room with several ladies gathered together at tables, laughing and talking. While there were a few familiar faces, I realized there wasn’t anyone I knew well so I took a seat at an empty table. I often take comfort in finding a friend at events like these when I don’t know anyone. Maybe you can relate? Or you may be the opposite. Maybe you’re the one who would pull a chair up with them! For me, I chose the empty table.

Can I share my heart with you today? The Father has taken me on a journey of finding freedom and wholeness deep within my heart. He has healed broken places and has transformed me from wanting to run from situations like these to now being able to have complete confidence in myself all because of the One who lives within me.

Not too long ago, sitting at an empty table would have caused me to feel unworthy and alone. But this time was different. I took a seat at that empty table with confidence. Not confidence in myself but with a confidence that comes from knowing Christ is within me. I knew who was sitting with me – my Savior, my Rock, my best friend – Jesus.

Having confidence has always been a struggle for me but He is doing a new thing in my heart. There is a confidence that has not been there and it’s not a fleshly confidence, it’s a confidence that only comes from my Savior. The more I seek Him rather than any earthly thing (and yes, even the good things), I find His righteousness and peace deep within me.

Another word for righteousness is goodness. Don’t you love His goodness?

Abiding in His goodness will bring us to a place of confidence.

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

Isaiah 32:17

As we make a daily choice to dwell in His goodness, we will see the fruit. To simply be okay with sitting at an empty table was fruit for me.

The table is never empty because Jesus always sits with you.

When you allow Jesus to take your brokenness, He takes your emptiness and will make you whole.

Even at an empty table, you’re completely comfortable because you know Jesus is within you and Jesus has pulled up a seat right next to you.

The table is never empty. Jesus is seated right there with you. Others will come along side you, too and sit at your table.

While I did choose to sit at an empty table in that room full of women last week, my table didn’t stay empty. Two of my dearest friends walked in and took a seat next to me. I know I would have been completely okay sitting at the table by myself, and I think Jesus knew that, too. I believe He is just so kind that He would gift me with two of my best friends to sit with.

Little did I know that one of those dear friends had something similar on her heart that connects with what I am sharing with you today. With her permission, I am sharing what she shared that night:

This is my table.

My table is constructed of rock solid, God-fearing women.

When I come to my table I know someone has always saved me a seat. When I leave my table I don’t have the fear of being talked about. At my table I am free to be the real me without hesitation or fear of being judged.

At my table I am fed truth, wisdom and most importantly the word of God.

My table is my rock and my strength.

I always leave my table a better person than when I sat down.

This table holds me accountable when I am wrong and picks me up when I am down.

I never fear of coming to my table broken, because I will leave restored.

If your table does not do this for you, get up, push in your chair and find yourself another table. You are worthy.

Thank you, Christel, for these beautiful words.

I am forever grateful for the godly friends that truly have been a gift from Jesus. They gladly sit with me at the table. And greater yet, I am so grateful that I have Jesus who will never leave me alone at the table.

Friends, we always have Jesus with us at the table. We can have complete confidence even at the empty table.