Hospitality.

Nearly every Wednesday morning, Tim takes the baby and I have a chance to get out of the house.  Usually, I try to meet up with a friend as this is most energizing to me - adult conversation, relaxation, and oftentimes great fellowship...who could ask for more?  Today, I went to my friend Heather's house; Heather is one of my dearest friends in the entire world.  She and I met six years ago when we were in the same small group bible study.  We have a similar remembrance from the night we met for dinner at their house; as we left, both our husbands said to us something like, "You've made a new friend, I see..."  Jon (Heather's husband), and Tim could see that this connection was going to be a special and lasting one.  

Heather's birthday was this past week - I forgot it.  I was so embarrassed and angry with myself because Heather has always made my birthday feel like a true celebration.  Growing up, I hated that my birthday (January 5) was right after Christmas and New Years; it felt like everyone was "partied out" and my birthday almost always coincided with returning to school (some present...yuck!); often, my birthday presents were also my Christmas presents - or worse, wrapped in Christmas paper.  As a kid, this is the pits!  My mom always did her best to make my birthday a special, separate event from Christmas, and yet I still wished to have my own day apart from any holidays.  Now that I'm older it doesn't bother me nearly as much, and yet Heather always manages to surprise me with something delightful.  So, you can imagine my horror when I realized, on December 4, that I was a few days late for Heather's b-day.  What did Heather want this year for her birthday, I asked when I realized my mistake?  She wanted to make ME breakfast at her house and to celebrate together in that way.  How is that for hospitality (and believe me, this girl knows how to entertain)?  Her house was decorated all over for Christmas, the table was set lovingly, and the food was delicious.  I continually thank God for friends like Heather - her friendship is a gift straight from heaven above...literally.