John’s parents gave us this small mahogany “card table” when we bought our first home. Dad and Mother Purdy had received it as a gift or bought it for their first home – a long time ago!  It is called a card table but we have never used it for that.

We usually open it up on holidays as we did last Thanksgiving for my beautiful nieces. I love to dress up the table with a lace cloth but with Turbo Kitty, Alice running around, we settled for a cotton tablecloth Mother Purdy had used for this table during the holidays.

So where does the versatility come in? This table can be used three ways. You have already seen two ways. It takes some work getting it from this position (My favorite because the wood looks so pretty against the wall and anything displayed on the table is enhanced by the depth of the wood.

Step 1 – close the table (I have added felt to protect the wall but it is not adhered to the table.)

Step 2 – Twist the table counter clockwise

I don’t think the table likes this part. It complains and squeals – just like us when we are asked to step out of our comfort zone.

Step 3 – Open the table, dust it and you have seating for two!

After dinner, just reverse the order and it can become a display table.

Through the years, this little table has served as a guest table, a sideboard, tea table, dessert table, display table, sofa table, a lamp table, a place for the cats to watch the birds from our front window and as it is called – a card table. Pretty versatile, isn’t it?

Did you know that we are to be versatile as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ?  We may think, “I’m a ___________” when we are really an instrument with a divine purpose. To serve wherever He calls and to do whatever He asks of us. So the next time you are asked to work in the nursery, teach Sunday School, give your testimony, pray, sing in the choir, pass out bulletins, write an article, write a book…  I have found that the more I do for the Lord; the more He will enable me to do in His name.  After all, just as this table had a designer who had made plans for versatility, the Lord designed you with talents and gifts. How sad it would be to remain a display table in the corner when He had planned for me to serve to others the Bread of Life!

You may ask, “How can I serve or speak when I am so nervous?”

1. Pray – (John 14:13-14;  James 1:5;  I John 5:14)

2. Prepare – (2 Timothy 2:15;  I John 5:10-15)

3. Practice – (2 Timothy 2:1-3, 3:14-17)

And remember, God chose an elderly man to build the ark, a shepherd to lead His people, a boy to slay a giant, fishermen to follow Him and to preach the Word, and more importantly, God Himself, left the glory of Heaven to be born in the lowliest of places to be our Savior – The Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world and then He arose from the dead that we may have everlasting life!

Since He has done so much for me; how can I give Him less than He asks of me? Versatility – for Him.

“Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

Colossians 3:23

What does this have to do with an old table? We were also designed for a purpose. To glorify God. To serve Him in any way that He asks – just be willing to turn and go the way He directs!

Have a wonderful week!

Love in Christ,

Kathy

I Peter 3:15