Extend an invitation

My last post discussed the meaning I found in Mother Teresa's admonishment that faithfulness, not success, is what matters.

 Although it may not seem related, I recently took these words to heart again when my church hosted an Advent by Candlelight Tea.  If you're not familiar with what this is, women invite guests to sit at a table.  Each hostess decorates her own table and provides desserts.  The room is lit by candlelight from the tables.  Afterward, there often is a speaker.  It's a nice time to slow down and experience fellowship before jumping in to the busy Advent season.  And this year, at our church, the speaker was Debbie Herbeck.

I have written before about Debbie.  She changed my life, and my daughter's.  After hearing Debbie speak in February, I knew my daughter needed to attend Pine Hills Camp.  I never thought I would entrust my daughter to an overnight camp for any amount of time, let alone a whole week!  But once I met Debbie, it was like God spoke to my heart.  I signed up Meghan without a moment's hesitation.

Debbie is a convert to Catholicism from Judaism.  She is a powerful, faith-filled speaker. I wanted to share her message with as many people as I could, but I was nervous about hosting a table.  It sounds like a lot of work, and the ones I've seen have been so beautiful, they intimidated me!

But then they sent out another email, saying we could bring our middle-school aged daughters to hear Debbie speak.

And once again, I knew.  I signed up, and didn't look back!

Normally, about eight people sit at each table.  So I invited my mother and mother-in-law.  I invited one of Meghan's friends who had attended camp, and her mother.  I invited a neighbor who is a dear friend.  But then I kept thinking about more people -- especially about women I knew who also had daughters in that age group.  And then, other women I know, who I just wanted to be there.

Before I knew it, I was sending an email to request two tables.

Brendan, reading the book he received on St. Nicholas' Day.

I was such a mix of emotion, between wondering how I would provide a nice experience for all of these women, to feeling giddy at being able to invite anyone who popped into my mind.  It was such a great feeling -- to know I didn't have to say "no" to anyone who crossed my path.  If I thought of them, I invited them.  Enough people couldn't come that it all worked out.  And at the end, when two people had to cancel, I was able to post the openings on Facebook, and I quickly found two more people who had been hoping to attend, but who couldn't find an open table!

I trusted that God would help it work out so that whoever could be there, would benefit from hearing Debbie talk.  I felt a bit like an evangelist, but instead of speaking out myself about Christ, I was trying to lead my friends to someone who could talk to them, probably much better than I could, about how to open their lives more to Him this Advent.

Nothing Christmas-y here, but boy is he cute!

And as for decorating the tables, and the food.... It all worked out.  It was not without some bumps in the road, but it all worked out.  I had the hardest time finding the right sized table cloth.  I placed an online order that arrived too late.  I had to head back home minutes before everyone was supposed to arrive, because I had forgotten some candles there (thankfully I live close).  And although I was able to provide some nice (store-bought!) desserts, I did regret not providing some appetizers.  (Some women even had adorable gift bags for their guests. Sigh.)

But you know what?  The tables still looked beautiful.  The candlelight made them look even more special.  The food we did have was delicious.  I was especially thankful to be able to offer a store-bought, nut-free chocolate torte to one young high school girl, whose mom said she rarely gets to eat anything but homemade desserts. 

Anyone else have kids who wake up at 5 a.m. on St. Nicholas,
overcome with the simple thought of candy and a book in/by their boots?

Conversation flowed.  Women smiled.  Teenage girls laughed, and greatly appreciate the hot chocolate packets and candy canes I'd bought since I didn't know if they would like tea.  My grandmother's china made the evening extra-special, almost like she was sharing in the night with us.

Nothing was missing, and it felt like everyone who was there was supposed to be there.  My heart swelled with gratitude for all of God's blessing, in response to this simple "Yes" of mine.

Then Debbie spoke, and I knew this was the real reason we were there.  Her words helped us see our roles as wives, mothers, daughters, and women, through God's eyes.  We are valuable.  Our work does matter.

She helped us see past the external parts of how our holiday may go, to realize that when we are in God's hands, "All is well."

Even our commercial figures know the Real reason for the season!

She reached out to the young women in the audience, and made them feel understood, and loved.  She helped bring them closer to God's love for them.

The Holy Spirit was at work!

My daughter smiled and glowed on the way home, and through all of the next day.  I know this was the case for some other girls who came as well. 

Throughout next week, I noticed she and another friend were exchanging emails about their favorite quotes from saints and other Christ-filled people about love, from a book they purchased from Debbie at the talk.

My daughter is still 12, going on 13, and we still struggle, I promise.  But seeds were planted.  A memory was made.  I do not know if you would consider my tables and desserts a success.  But I am grateful my faithfulness was rewarded.

This is a beautiful, 12-foot tree that is new to us this year.
 It is a gift from a woman who lost her husband this year,
and who didn't want to put up the tree without him.
We are so appreciative of her generosity.
Could you join me in saying a prayer for them?