Life is a paradox. In one 7 day span, we have rejoiced, mourned, and celebrated. Today was Marti’s birthday. Despite the recent pain, we were able to rejoice and celebrate the day she was born.
It started this morning with “breakfast in bed”. In actuality, she overslept and so we had to bring her some breakfast. But we decided to open her presents. Sarah gave her some beautiful handmade Belgian linen tea napkins and special teaspoons. The boys and I gave her a table runner and matching placements with napkins (also all handmade). She was delighted to receive them.
This afternoon, a few of her friends took her out for tea and coffee. They really enjoyed some girl time together. Because they had “too much” fun, we were almost late getting to the restaurant for dinner. We visited the café where I have befriended the owners. They gave us a special table in the corner, beautifully decorated. They then served us a specially prepared meal (it’s not on the menu). They even gave Marti a birthday card! They topped it off with a homemade “Belgian” birthday cake; it was a pie crust with vanilla crème topped with fresh fruits (peaches, strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, grapes, cherries, and apricots). They presented it with loud birthday music!
Although this had been a wonderful day of celebration, we were just beginning. When we arrived back at the dorms we have been calling home the past 3 weeks, we opened the door to our commons area to a candlelit room with all the participants blowing horns and singing “Happy Birthday”. It was Marti’s first surprise birthday party. She was overwhelmed by the gathering, the wonderful candles, the treats, and the presents. We celebrated with laughter and great fellowship.
It reminded me of one of the lessons we learned last week. One of our professors made this statement:
“The Christian life should look like a party.” John Leonard
Think about how many times we see Jesus sitting around breaking bread with folks. In fact His ministry was publicly started at a wedding feast. He told parables about feasts and parties. He invites us to participate in feasts. In fact, He tells us that if we are too busy with the concerns about life, we will be “dis-invited” - He will bring in others.
Think about it. How many of our churches look like parties?
How many Christians look like they are having a good time in life? If you are a non-believer, do you want to go around with long faces not having any fun? Lest you worry, I am not suggesting that we go around living in wild parties and debauchery. But we must wake up to the realities of what we have in Christ. We have life, hope for tomorrow, and the power of God’s Spirit in our lives just to name a few. We have so much to celebrate in Christ.
In fact, one of the greatest lessons I am learning this month is that God is glorified in my weaknesses. I can not only celebrate the victories, but I can even learn to celebrate the failures. This too is a paradox, but it is a reality. Since He has chosen sinners to do His work there is bound to be lots of failure. Think about sports for a moment. Basketball players are celebrated if they have success 80% of the time from the free throw line, football quarterbacks are celebrated if they complete 70% of their passes, and baseball players are celebrated if they hit the ball 30% of the time – sounds like a lot of “failure” to me. So we as Christians need to learn that we can celebrate despite, or rather, because of our many weaknesses. Because God works through our failures we still see His Kingdom advance.
So, again I have learned more about the tangible expression of the gospel this week. I better understand the command to “rejoice with those that rejoice, weep with those that weep.” I am also reminded of the reality of what the writer of Ecclesiastes meant when he wrote, “there is a time to laugh, a time to cry.” Tonight has been a night to laugh, to celebrate, to embrace the wonders of God’s love through the shared fellowship with other believers.
Happy Birthday Marti!!! I have been thinking about you so much!! I am so glad you had a great birthday. I have been praying for you so often. How's that attitude?!?!? I love you dear friend. See you soon.
Posted by: LeAnne | July 27, 2004 at 12:38 PM