Grace Throws a Party

Grace Throws a Party

August 23, 2012

It’s story time.

Once upon a time there was a little girl name Molly.  She was a cutie as little girls go. 

Time passed and she grew.  And so did her beauty. 

Soon the party-life began.  She met some people, tried some new and different things.  And she was a hit. 

People flocked to her.

One man in particular took to her.  He became her guardian, her keeper.  He whisked her far from home to the big city and introduced her around.  Her fame and beauty grew and she was in demand – as a high-class hooker. 

After a few years she developed a cough.  Then a small pimple appeared on her face.  Soon her teeth started to yellow.

One day her keeper came in, kicked her out and left her without anything.

She struggled, living the life on the streets that she had been taught, and barely made two dollars meet in the middle.

When she was all used up she called home.  She called three times, and hung up each time the answering machine clicked on.

Finally, she left a short message.

“Momma.  Daddy.  It’s me – Molly.  Can I come home?  I’m gonna take the midnight bus next Tuesday.  Okay, bye.”

And she hung up. 

She wondered whether she should make the trip.  Maybe they were gone.  Maybe they were ignoring her.  Maybe they were mad at her.

As she made the trip up I-65 the rain fell on a dreary January night.  She road in silence, but her fears and doubts kept her company and whispered – “You have really messed up.  You are a loser.  You are not wanted.  No one will be there.”

As the bus pulled into the station, she took a deep breath and gathered her belongings. 

Down the steps she climbed.

She opened the door to the bus station and looked around.  It was dark inside.  She found a light switch, turned it on and the first thing she saw as a sign.  “Welcome home Baby Girl.”

And then she saw forty brothers, sisters, neighbors, and friends cheering and calling her name.  “Molly.  Molly.”

And out stepped her Daddy, arms wide open, receiving her into his embrace.

She cried.

He cried.

Molly tried to apologize.

“Daddy, I’m so sorry for … “

He stopped her.

“Hush now, Baby Girl.  We’ve got a party to go to, and you are the guest of honor.” 

That, my friend, is a picture of grace throwing a party.  It’s like the story of the prodigal son in the Bible.  (Luke 15:11-32)

Grace throws a party. 

It doesn’t condemn. 

Grace doesn’t ask forty questions before letting you in the gate. 

It simply welcomes you home from your wandering.

Grace throws its arms wide open and says,

“I’m glad you’re home where you belong.”

That is God.

He always looks for you.

He always wants you back home with him.

He always stands ready to receive you.

And He always, always, is ready to throw a party when you come home.

Isn’t it about time for you to come home from your wandering?  There’s a party waiting for you. 

And you’ll be received with open arms.

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

PS. My friend. If you know of someone in need of the message of grace and hope contained in this blog, would you be so kind as to pass it along?  Thank you.