Party!

It came into my mind a few years before. I had been asked to speak at a ladies’ Christmas Luncheon for a local church. It was held at The Metropolitan Club, a special events facility. From the moment I walked in the door I thought it would be a wonderful place to someday celebrate God’s goodness. I had no idea at the time, but that day would come and it would be beyond anything I could have ever imagined.

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All of the DVDs and workbooks were completed. It had been a monumental job to say the least. It had taken fives years and forty people working tirelessly. And yet for all of our hard work we knew that God had opened doors that were shut tight. He had provided almost two million dollars without us even telling anyone that we had a financial need. He had guided us and encouraged us. In fact I think we knew full well that in many ways He had done it all. And now we wanted to celebrate…celebrate the God who so graciously, kindly, faithfully made sixty- six DVDs and eleven workbooks possible.

At the first idea of a celebration The Metropolitan Club came to mind. It was beautiful. It was expensive. Yet as we looked for other facilities I kept coming back to that one knowing in my heart that the celebration was to take place there. And so after presenting the plan to the board and much discussion (the very gracious, wonderful, generous, faith-filled board) permission was given to spend the money and the party date was set: January 25, 2007 from 6:30-9:30.

I happen to believe that God truly does love celebrations and so He went before us. Within a short period of time we received a total of $17,000 from three different donors earmarked for a party!

Robin, who is a whiz on the computer, printed lovely invitations and we invited over two hundred people. Every single one of them had something to do with making the big dream come true. There were our production company, many donors, tech folks, musicians, vocalists, sixty-six brave women who had given their testimonies, our catering women, the back stage crew, our wardrobe consultant, makeup artists, writers, editors, proof readers, literary consultant and the list went on and on.

We had prayed that all would come full of joy and dressed in their party clothes and no one let us down! Each and every person who came through the door that night was absolutely radiant and “party dresses”, long and short abounded. Indeed, everyone came ready to P_A_R_T_Y!

The “living room” area at the Metropolitan club offered a perfect spot for appetizers and punch. It is a gracious, welcoming room and yet large enough to embrace all of us. The excitement was high and good cheer was the air we breathed. At 7:00 the big doors opened into the enormous dining room and it really was magical! The room was lit by candlelight and the champagne silk table clothes topped floor length black ones. Crystal lanterns adorned every table giving a sparkly, glittery appearance to the room…and it was just beautiful.

Jen Carozza, one of our favorite vocalists started us off with her jazzy rendition of “Come on Into the House”. Robin followed her with a heart felt welcome that immediately set the tone for the evening. And as all of our studies begin with the opener of The Amazing Collection, we thought it was appropriate to do the same for our evening and so it was shown up on a huge screen. And then the feasting began!

There was much more that night. There were brief speeches from the board members followed by Charles Billingsley who gave a concert and then led us in celebratory worship. Too soon the evening ended and all said good night. But I have to believe we went away believing that we had all had a glimpse of heaven. We had enjoyed the beauty of the surroundings. We had feasted on the finest food. We had been clothed in our very best. We had loved on one another. We had worshiped with full hearts. And through it all we had basked in something else.

Emmanuel.

The Celebrating God had been with us.

Psalm 5:11

But let all those rejoice who put their trust

in You.

Let them shout for joy…

Let those who love Your name

Be joyful in You.