I feel I am in the minority now, to be able to say that I have had TWO surprise Birthday parties pulled off successfully.
The first was when I was 29 years old. Of course, it was February, and freezing, and Cindy really did a superb job organizing a surprise Birthday. The funny part about that one....I was carrying this tray of Taco dip big enough for 50 people and I thought we were going to an evening together for 2 other friends. Sigh....walk through the Door... Suprise.... and if you can see the look on my face from that picture....yeah...I was Surprised.
To sum up why 29....Cindy didn't make it to 30. She really wanted to do something special for me and she did. I was an awesome night at the Kercheval's Log Cabin that sits on a lake in Manchester, New Jersey. When I turned 30, I actually had to make plans for 5 or 6 dinner engagements. People still identified my Birthday with Cindy and her special planning. It was kind of cool. As the years wore on...the engagements wore off. I am down to 1 or 2 dinners a year and I treasure them with my friends that try to keep the spirit alive.
Well...this year I turned 40. Today matter of fact. Yes. Stop. I was born on Valentine's Day. Hearts and Love are representative of my birthday. I was always uncomfortable with it when I was young. But...hey in ministry it is kind of cool to be attached with an such an intimate day. Particularly when I can openly and honestly say that I love people with all of my heart.
This was our Missionary Weekend at Sonrise. A lot of planning, by the Missions Committee, and a strong distraction for me as I wanted to help them make sure everything came off without a hitch. We had two missionaries from France, Brad and Tina Reynolds. They were absolutely wonderful. We had things planned all day on Saturday. Sunday, February 13th, our Sunday service went great, followed by a luncheon....and the first planned decoy of my deception. Out came a sheet cake for me for my Birthday. Yay. Two great cards signed by the youth and the adult church body. It was fun...and it was great cake. Best I ever had. The cards were pretty deep and wonderful.
The rest of the day...was laden with deception. Some questionable behavior for an upright Christian Community. :) It was good deception. I have heard some people say,” there is no way that anyone can ever throw a surprise birthday party for me.” Well....Twice I have now walked into dark rooms and have been scared to death by people screaming, “SURPRISE!”
Last night my reaction was complete “HUH!ness” I was stunned. I was BAMBOOZLED! So much to the fact...that a friend wrote in an autograph book being passed around... The Balloons $15.00, The Birthday Hat $6.00, the look on your face.......priceless!!!! 80 <
My church whipped this together in one week. They had no idea how to get in touch with my friends outside the church. :( They spoke to my (dad) for the info....and well...dad doesn't do Intel (cia work) much and came up short.
I imagine well close or over half of our church was present. This was after a very intense weekend too! I was really blessed. I was really encouraged. Things were said and written to me that no single person deserves. There have been a few burdens that were lifted off of me during this night and it was absolutely wonderful. I put on my happy feet and danced. I had on the wildest hat I have ever seen that said “Party Animal“. I lived up to it...
I even had a song written about me. Written to the beat of the Adam's Family. Yes...every picture 60 people snapping their fingers with huge smiles as one of my Good friends Daughters, Kelly Hrehovcik, sang a song written for me about me. Sigh...it was a real heartfelt moment and a wonderful song that was written on a dinner napkin.
Hey...guess who was the DJ? Yeah...my buddy Bill.
So how does this apply to “It's a Wonderful Life“. Well... George Baily had to see what life was like without him... For me...it was quite humbling...to be present while people are lifting you up...embracing and loving you...writing and saying incredible things that are mind boggling. It is one thing to follow God,to serve him, and serve others, and then be told that what you are doing matters deeply.
This Deacon tomorrow will come back to ground. I will empty my head of these thoughts. As nice as they are, I need to keep my faith where it matters and continue to serve God and his people. That means so much to me, and it means so much to me to share his love with others.....
It is a Wonderful Life,
A Life Lived for Others,
...and I am the oldest 19 year old there is....Mom left me babysitting.