I wrote a book recently about recovering from broken dreams (Resurrection Year). It tells the story of my wife and I being unable to start a family. To our surprise, a TV producer read the book and sent a film crew to make a documentary of our story.

The weeks leading up to filming were intense. There was so much to prepare, and the thought of describing our journey on camera made Merryn anxious. We also felt a little vulnerable entrusting our story to someone else. Would we like what we saw?

The documentary turned out beautifully—particularly the closing scene which centers on a dinner party. You see a silky tablecloth drop gently onto a table. You see delicious food, and glasses are being filled. You see guests arriving and people laughing. You see that life can be good even after a broken dream.

Jesus said He’s preparing a place in His Father’s home for us (John 14:1-4). And Scripture says the first thing He’ll do when He returns is throw us a dinner party (Isaiah 25:6; Revelation 19:6-7). Jesus even gave us a symbolic meal to remind us of that future feast—even as we remember Jesus’ sacrifice (Matthew 26:29).

Every time we remember Christ’s death by sharing the bread and wine of communion, we also catch a glimpse of that great banquet to come. But I think every dinner party we enjoy can be a taste of heaven too. As we lay the tablecloth and cutlery, we remember a place is being prepared for us at God’s table. As dishes are passed and glasses are filled, we catch the aroma of those future delicacies.

And as our guests arrive and the laughter begins, we can sense this: One day, after all the broken dreams of our lives, we will take our seat at a table brimming with joy!

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Psalm 139:1-24