THE BANQUET

"He brought me to His banqueting table, His banner over
me is love."  Song of Solomon 2:4

      During the time God was bringing me through my repressed memories I attended a conference at Anaheim Vineyard. One afternoon I decided to attend a workshop hosted by Ed Peorik on the The Fatherhood of God.

      While Ed was speaking about his experiences with his father, I had a vision.  In the vision I saw myself as a very small child, all shining clean, wearing a pretty white dress.  Jesus was holding my hand, smiling down at me as we walked together toward Father God.  Jesus let go of my hand and Father God picked me up and carried me in to a brightly lit room where a long banqueting table was set with many wonderful gifts.

      Father God lifted me up onto a big chair and then sat down in the chair next to me.  Tenderly He said, "My child, you can have any gift you see on this table."

      The vision ended and I sat there contemplating what could be the meaning of this.  I was especially puzzled about the shining clean little girl in the pretty white dress because it was so out of place.  The picture of myself I carried in my mind was a tattered cast-away rag doll.

      After a short break, Ed Peorik began speaking, telling us that the Father was inviting us to come to His banqueting table, and partake of His gifts.  Ed was saying "The Father says, Come and receive My gifts."

      I began crying because Father God had already taken me in to the banqueting table in the vision, telling me I could have any gift on the lavishly set table.  I whispered, "Oh, Father God, You must really love me, or, why else would You have Jesus personally bring this wounded little girl to You."

      A part of my heart that had been closed off since early childhood abuses was being touched by the Father' Love.  As I sat there a flood of tears accompanied by anguished moans came pouring forth from the depths of my being, tears that had been buried with my repressed memories for decades.

      At last I knew for a certainty that Jesus cared about all the hurts I had been through so He brought me to the Father to receive His love.

      Oh, what boundless love the Father has for His children.  He leaves no stone unturned to bring about our healing.  Yes!  His banner over us is love!