Bless their hearts, Chelsey's mom, grandma, sisters and mother-in-law came early with all of the food, decorations and games, as well as arranging delivery of an extra table and several extra chairs. My part was to provide a clean house, and make the punch, coffee, and iced tea. Of course all the little things that come up, like getting out baskets for the tableware and gift cards; and providing the cake cutter, big serving spoons, and paprika for the devilled eggs, come into the hostess' purview, and I was happy to be of assistance. The family worked very smoothly with me as to placement of the multiple platters of delicious food, the tableware, and in the living room, setting out the game prizes, favors and gift table.
I LOVE to entertain, the more the merrier! I feel, and Steve always did, that if the Lord gave us plenty of room for large gatherings, we should bless family and friends by opening our home.
"Of Him and through Him, and to Him are all things, to God be the glory forever," goes the line from a hymn we sang in Methodist church decades ago, probably a loose interpretation of Hebrews 2:10, which speaks of Jesus bringing many sons to glory ["for whom are all things and by whom are all things"].
And how true that its--we have nothing but what God has given us, and even our own bodies belong to the Lord to use as He commands!
You are not your own, I Corinthians 6:19b says.
The party went wonderfully, with tons of gifts for Chelsey's little boy, hilarious games, and so much fellowship and laughter throughout. Baby Evan's mom was very blessed to read the cards and thank each person warmly.
But there was trouble brewing behind the scenes. I'd asked for a caregiver from 9-1, and it was rapidly approaching 1 p.m. We hadn't gotten to the cake and punch yet, and with a large crowd, that would take time. So I texted the caregiver and asked if he could keep Steve busy until 2 p.m., because the two of them wouldn't even be able to get into the door with such a crowd of ladies, and I was fully involved. He agreed to try, but texted that Steve was getting upset and wanting to go home. (Reminds me of how he ran out of Care Connexxus in a raging panic on his first visit, but now looks forward to it every week). I encouraged him to try his best.
Meanwhile, I spoke quietly to my friend Mae (the expectant mom's mother-in-law) who whispered a little snippet of info to Chelsey's mom. Mae and I started filling the flutes halfway with punch and handing them out to kind of get things moving along. As the last gift card was opened and read, I called out 'Chelsey, ready to cut your cake?" and she came over for her cute photo op with the cake cutter. Her sisters began handing pieces around; other family members and I began wrapping up leftovers and taking them to their cars as "behind the scenes" as we could. When Mae told me that Steve and his caregiver were on the front patio, I went over and kissed Steve, spoke a bit with his caregiver, initialled his paperwork, and went back in to keep things NICELY moving along, collecting plates and drained flutes to place back in their boxes. The family members worked diligently, evidencing true servants' hearts and the joy of being helpful, providing the best possible event for the mother-to-be. There is no way I could have hosted the shower without them--what lovely people!
In Romans 16:1-2, the Apostle Paul commends "Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church," saying that others are to assist her, "for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also." May our modern day "Phoebes" be commended as well!
The devil tried to put a "fly in our ointment," but the Lord would have none of it, and made our time of fellowship wrap up smoothly, with no one feeling rushed, and all feeling valued and very much loved. The guests kissed Chelsey and went home, and the rest of us cleaned up. In no time at at all, Steve came in with his spiffy new haircut, the caregiver went on his way, and the family members greeted Steve on their way out.
This afternoon spent with women of God truly was a sweet fragrance to Christ!
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