How a Surprise Party Helped to Mend a Broken Relationship
Love shows up in various seasons that we should be able to hold on to daily. As a mother, I have had the experience of learning what love truly is. As the word of God tells us, that He is love, and that there is no love greater than his. When I look at my son, I see that love beaming out of his eyes. When he smiles, my heart beats and love covers all the wrong for the day. And when I hug him, love gently calms all my fears that keeps me feeling like I was not a good enough mom. No matter what happens, the failures, mistakes, doubts, and chaos of this world, God’s love sustains us.
As a little girl, I thought love was my grandmother keeping food on the table, clothes on my back, and tucking me to sleep at night. And when I feared the dark, I could climb into her bed, and we would say a prayer and fast asleep I went. As long as my grandmother was around, love kept me safe. As I grew older, love became an obstacle course that somehow had me confused, broken, and emotional. I quickly learned that I could be happy, sad, angry, joyful, and depressed all at the same time.
Love today is used so loosely, and it is conditional. It has been put in a box and isolated, when it has the ability to be a creative force in our lives. In Corinthians 13: 4-8, it says “Love is patient, love is kind, It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. LOVE NEVER FAILS.”
I recently gave a surprise party for my cousin who was estranged from the family. My uncle and my cousin’s relationship was driven apart because of his mom’s bitterness. I am the oldest and the first-born of our generation, so I started a tradition years ago of giving surprise parties for members of our family. This way we could stay connected and celebrate each other. When I told my uncle that I wanted to give his son a surprise party, I could hear in his voice the excitement that he could participate in it. He called me every day until the day of the party, telling me all of the food he bought, how he set up the house, and how he had mowed the lawn so the grandkids could play outside.
The surprise party was scheduled for April 6th. My uncle was so excited! I was cooking outside, family began arriving while the music was playing. We were all waiting on my cousin, who had no idea what was going on. I had connected with his wife, and she played along the entire time. My uncle then said, “I can’t wait until he shows, I have never been able to wish him happy birthday for a long time and this is the best day I could have asked for.” My cousin showed up, saw the decorations and cake, and we all said “Surprise! Happy Birthday!” His face lit up and he quickly hugged his dad. Tears were flowing from my eyes because I saw LOVE. It was free to be a creative force of redemption.
A surprise love that mended a broken relationship. Love never fails.
