The Life of the Party

“Mom, why did you write this in my baby book?” I demanded, pointing to her description of my seventh birthday party. “How could you say that it was a fun party?”

It had been bad enough Mom was not happy when I told her I had casually mentioned my upcoming birthday, and suddenly seven girls had invited themselves to a party I’m not even sure I was having. What made it worse was the girls had jumped all over my sister and her bed, making her cry. I had gotten mad at them and told them to stop.

“It was the worst birthday ever!” I said with all my ten-year-old wisdom.

She smiled and said, “I didn’t want you to remember it that way.”

But, I did. For a long time.

Because I had forgotten something I should have remembered. The next day I had apologized to each of the girls for being upset. Two refused to accept my apology. Yet, that is not what should be remembered. I had forgotten about the five who forgave me. The five new friends I gained from the experience.

The worst part is one other person had heard my apology and refused to accept it.

Me.

Yet, God doesn’t want me to remember it that way either.

Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9b NASB

God wants me to remember the good part--the reason for my reaction along with my response to my reaction.

Life’s guest list isn’t simply about who is or isn’t at the party. It's about the what that shouldn’t be there and the what that should. Don't give in to that uninvited, party-crashing what. Forgive whomever, and forget whatever. Clutch the other what as a treasured gift. Never give up on it. Always be willing to give it to others…and to yourself.

Love never gives up.

1 Corinthians 13:4a MSG