September 15: A Seat at the King's Table
Is there anyone on your list you’ve been hoping just won’t come up? Someone you could easily avoid if you wanted to?
“And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.”
After David became king, he asked a surprising question. Is there anyone left from the house of Saul that I can show kindness to? Saul had tried to kill David for years. But David had made a promise to Saul’s son Jonathan, his best friend. So he went looking.
They found Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, who was lame in both feet. He came to David afraid, bowing low, calling himself a dead dog. He expected the worst. In those days, new kings often wiped out the old king’s family.
David said, Don’t be afraid. I will surely show you kindness for your father Jonathan’s sake. I’ll give you back all the land of Saul your grandfather, and you’ll eat at my table always.
David went looking for someone to restore. He didn’t wait for Mephibosheth to come to him. He gave back what was lost, and more.
That’s the spirit of Step Nine. You don’t wait for people to come to you. You don’t hope they’ll forget. You seek them out, wherever possible. And you look for ways to restore what was lost.
Mephibosheth was afraid. The people on your list may be too. They might be braced for drama, or for more harm. When you come in kindness, without excuses, it can surprise them.
Restoring looks different in each case. Sometimes it’s money. Sometimes it’s time. Sometimes it’s showing up for someone you neglected. Sometimes it’s giving back respect you took from them. Ask yourself, what was lost? What can I give back?
David’s kindness didn’t end with one conversation. Mephibosheth ate at his table every day after that. Amends often grow into lasting relationships.
One thing today
Look at your list for a name you’ve been quietly avoiding. Write down what you took from them and one way to give it back. Talk it over with your sponsor.
A prayer
Lord, You sought me out when I was afraid of You. Help me seek out the people I’ve harmed. Show me what was lost and how to restore it. Make me kind. Amen.
Seeking people out is part of what Step Nine asks.
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