Better than a Brass Band

If God wants to love on you, he doesn’t mind messing up your makeup or making your eyes
puffy. His timing is perfect, whether we like it or not.

We were looking forward to evening guests. Our house was a mess, so as usual, there was too
much to do in too short a time. A mid-afternoon nap for everyone trumped an extra hour of
preparation, so when we woke up we decided we’d just get done what we could in the time that was
left.

Hannah and John were busy getting the kitchen in order while I quickly removed muddy
footprints in the living room with the carpet shampooer. My train of thoughts was rumbling loudly
through my mind.

“Exciting evening ahead … big changes happening in our lives … ending eight years of providing
adult foster care in our home … beginning a freelance writing career … a change of residence likely … so
many wonderful experiences … so many difficult experiences … was it worth it? Of course. We ought to
have some sort of celebration … something to mark the transition … would be fun to have guests, but
that would seem a bit too self-important. “

Then I recalled the anecdote about an elderly missionary couple returning by ship after decades
of service overseas. They watched another passenger be greeted by a brass band, but nobody was there
to welcome these servants of the Lord. The man turned to his wife and said sadly, “It would have been
nice if someone had been here to celebrate our return home.” His wife gently replied, “Dear, we’re not
Home yet.”

Suddenly I was overwhelmed by a sense that God was speaking to my heart without words. “I
am celebrating you and the children! I see what you have done, and it has made me so very happy!”

I called the children to the living room, and they sat on either side of me while I cried. I told
them what I had thought and experienced, and shared with them the impressions I was continuing to
receive.

“Father God wants you to know he appreciates so much all you have done for those in our care.
He sees all you went through, and he is so thankful! He loves you so much and he wants you to know he
is so proud of you,” I said between sobs.

There were tears all around as we received the best possible benediction to our sacrificial
service. Never mind that housework waited, and we girls had to repair our makeup. We basked in the
glow of knowing that what we had given was received with gratitude by the One who matters most.

© 2009 Julie Sorenson