God Showed Up to My 2-Year-Old's Birthday Party
My daughter turned 2 a few weeks ago. To celebrate, we decided to throw her a special little party, complete with cake, decorations, and all her favorite people.
The day dawned sunny and bright, a blessing in the midst of fickle NZ winter weather. It was a very full day, the Sunday before her actual birthday. We went to church that morning, which, miraculously let out super early. Rushing home, we loaded up the cars and drove to the beach where we set up the party area next to the playground.
It was perfect.
The weather was perfect. The people were perfect. The food was perfect. It just all went exactly how I envisioned it would. Ava woke up from a short nap, spent some time snuggling her Aunty, and then ran off to the playground with her little friends.
Then we had cake and opened presents. The love poured out on my baby girl was so beautiful!
Just as we were wrapping up (😂) with the presents, the most magnificent rainbow beamed across the sky. As we all ran down to the beach I couldn’t help but scream, “AHHH!! Jesus loves me SO MUCH!!!”
Then the party was over and everyone went home.
As I was putting my son to bed later that night, I began thanking God for such a wonderful day. I thanked Him for showing up in such a spectacular way through that magnificent rainbow. I just knew it was Him; He has always spoken to me and showed me His Presence through rainbows. His response stunned me.
“Thank you for inviting Me.”
For a moment I was fully taken aback. “I invited You to the party? I mean, I know You’re with us always (Matthew 28:20) and that You never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)…but I invited You?”
Suddenly, I was back in my car, driving to the birthday party. It was just the kids and I, Cody had left just before us to start setting up while I finished nursing Finn. Both kids were extremely sleepy and began wailing the moment we got into the car. To help soothe them I turned on my altering atmosphere music - the music I always play when I purposefully turn to the Presence of God.
I began singing from the depths of my heart, making melody to the Lord. Singing my praises and offering thanksgiving to Him. I surrendered the party to Him, releasing all expectations and dedicated it all to Him, determining to keep my eyes on Him no matter what may happen.
A particular phrase began pouring from my lips in tune with the music. “You are welcome. You are welcome here. I welcome You, Holy Spirit. I welcome You, Jesus. I welcome You, Father. You are welcome. You are welcome in this place.” An invitation. An invitation to my daughter’s birthday party.
“You know, I like to be invited to stuff.” He told me as I lay up in our bedroom. “Sure, I’m always with You, my Presence is always within you and around you, but I really, really like to be specifically invited. And whenever I’m invited to something, I always show up. I don’t call in sick. I’m never too busy. I will always come where I am invited.”
Dear reader, I pray you are inspired by this story, to remember to invite God into your day. Invite Him into every part of your life, from the little things like going grocery shopping to the big things like finding the right place to live.
Start your day by welcoming Him into it. He will surely show up.
