A Good Party

Illustrator: Jayne Williams and I smile for the camera.

Here’s what I love: a good party.

Monday night, we threw a party at our house.  This was not just any party—it was a celebration of a year-long collaboration.  Thanks to illustrator (and friend), Jayne Williams as well as the good people at O’More Publishing, I am now a published author!! Eeeeee!

It’s a good feeling. 

But before Jayne and before O’More, God put the story on my heart.  (God is always the beginning of all good things.)  And, God is a planner.  After God inspired the story, He introduced me to Jayne and paved the way with O’More.  So, really, this was God’s party.

I was a tad stressed out leading up to Monday.  We were expecting over 50 people and we were providing drinks and desserts.  Some of the desserts were homemade, so I got started on those days in advance.

Although, I had been worried, when the actual day of the party arrived, everything went very smoothly getting ready for the event.  (This was, I am sure, due to the many friends who were praying for me.  AND, my friend Heidi who came by and made a very professional-looking book display!)

I actually had a good day.  I had a to-do list (of course) and I easily began checking things off the list. 

Last minute grocery run.  Check.

Set out platters. Check.

Shower.  Check.

Borrow Ice buckets from Erin.  Check.

Borrow cake plates from Danielle.

Dust.  Check.

Clean counters.  Check.

Set out desserts.

Get platters and brownies from Danielle.

Make punch.

Put on make-up.

Etc.

Etc.

You see, a lot of preparing goes into pulling off a fun party for fifty guests. 

And at one point, when I was wiping down the kitchen counters, I was reminded of a verse:

I go to prepare a place for you.

I was preparing my house for 50 guests.  I was laying out nice platters, making yummy treats, ensuring we had plenty to drink, setting out chairs, and even seeing to details like creative menu cards and colored pens.  And as I prepared, I thought about who would be there.  I was excited to hug necks and catch up face to face with dear friends.  We would all be together to celebrate what God had done.

Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for us.  I have no idea what His preparations include.  I am told there will be food.  So, that will be awesome!  I have to think that eternal banquets for slightly more than 50 guests take some time to prepare.  And I can imagine there will be lovely details.  And maybe Jesus is getting excited to hug necks and catch up face to face.  And we will all be together to celebrate God.

Oh!  I am so excited!

But, while I wait, He is preparing.  

He is preparing a place for me, 

and He is preparing my heart for His presence.