God's Tea Party

My niece was at my mom's one day last week. She is the only little girl in our family and I absolutely adore her. I adore all the boys too, but there is something magical about a little girl's imagination.

She prepared a tea party for my boys expecting them to come and dine with her. My mom said she waited and waited and asked over and over when they would be there. She had their chairs arranged, their tea cups in place, and even goldfish on the plates waiting for their arrival. She did all of this first thing in the morning and we didn't drop by until later that afternoon. She was not angry or upset with us, but so excited to finally show them to their seats. She was ready to serve them goldfish and tea and talk with them.

The next day, I was thinking about this wonderful tea party hosted by a sweet 3 year old. I couldn't help but think how this was so like our God. Every morning, He arranges a magnificent feast and beckons us to come and sit with Him and enjoy His presence. There are only two chairs at His table, one for Him and one for us.

How often we make Him wait and wait. We may even busily walk by Him never showing up to this sacred meal. He longs to meet with us in the secret place and listen to us and speak with us.

I see Him with His elbow on the table and His hand upon His cheek listening to His child tell Him everything He already knows, but He still listens ever so intently. Then as we run out of words, He begins to share His dreams and plans for us. He guides us through His word to comfort and teach us. Then when the "tea party" that He prepared with great detail is over, He sends us out to be His light to this world. He encourages us that we can do that because He is with us.

If it's been a while since you've attended one of our Master's tea parties, take heart! Like my gracious niece, He is not angry or upset. He is excited to see you walk through those doors no matter how long He has waited. He will meet you with a smile and an embrace and pull out your chair for you to sit with Him. Even if it's been weeks or years, Jesus patiently waits for you to respond to His invitation to sit and dine with Him.

Oh what a magnificent, merciful, and personal God we serve.