The Unoccupied Chair

This mornng I took my place sitting in my usual
lawn chair, out in the sunlight. I felt the warmth
of the sun on my legs and arms, as it shone
brightly through the tall stately trees casting
shadows on the path. The sky was deep
blue with not a cloud in sight....Listening quietly
I heard the chirping of the birds happily praising
their Creator. But something was different...
Another lawn chair just like the one I was
sitting in had been placed adjacent to
my chair. That chair was unoccupied!

The two chairs spoke to me of fellowship.
I thought about various people whom I
would like to "occupy" that chair....
my mother, now gone on to glory,......
my husband who is helping a neighbor
today......my sister who is experiencing
physical trials and lives so far away.....my
chidren and grandchildren who are so
lively they can hardly take time to sit
dowm......my friends.who are precious
every one.

Then I thought about Jesus. Although I
do not see Him with my physical eyes,
I know that He is here. I can feel His
gentleness and kindness. I feel in
awe to thnk that the very Son of God
desires to occupy that empty chair.
I know He does because He fills that
place in my heart that no one else can
fill. Truely, He is even closer for He
lives with in my spirit....since I have
invited Him in and He has promised
never to leave.

Long ago, Mary sat at Jesus feet and
felt that fellowship of His presence; the
woman of Samaria found Jesus sitting
at the well. She too, found the true way
to have fellowship with the Living God.
Perhaps you are lonely today, Perhaps
their is an empty chair in your home.....
a husband or a wife has occupied that
chair ....a child has left this life or simply
grown up and moved away......I invite
you to take that unoccupied chair
and offer it to Jesus. You can pour
out your heart to Him and He will reveal
Himself to you in such mercy, forgiveness,
grace, healing .....whatever you need.
Jesus longs to occupy that "empty chair".