God moves through slumber parties and a father’s kiss

I had a slumber party with my parents Thursday night. 

After work, I jetted home to take Murphs out, then shot back to Cedar Valley Church for the Michael W. Smith concert. Bloomington was stop number five on his Surrounded by a Million Lights World Tour. 

For those of you who haven’t heard of Michael, his music threaded throughout my childhood years and continues to be a favorite. Maybe it’s the familiarity of it or maybe it’s the memories of belting out “Place in This Word” in the back seat of our family van, but more likely it’s the powerful lyrics and passion he pours into each song. Every. Single. One. Thursday  night was no exception. 

The concert was a beautiful mix of songs from his two new albums and blast-from-the-past favorites from the 80s and 90s. This, I expected and enjoyed very much; but he also threw in a few other components that warmed me to the core. 

About midway through the concert, he sang his best-known song, “Friends” as a tribute to Billy Graham flashed across the screen in a series of photos showcasing Michael and Billy’s friendship. It was apparent the role Billy’s mentorship played in Michael’s life and more importantly, the impact it had on his ministry. Michael joked about how his father, who passed in 2015, shares a heavenly friendship with Billy. My mom and I turned our heads to the right and left, respectively, to exchange glances as we chuckled. Make that table of three, I thought as I imagined Billy, Michael’s dad and Grandma sitting at the kids’ table. Maybe Grandma is teaching them Ole and Lena jokes. More likely, she’s talking about her family and asking if they’ve ever met us. Someday ... 

At this point, it was after nine and I assumed the concert would start winding down. It seemed like a natural place to do so. But then Michael continued playing on the piano as he asked, “You ready to dive deep? Whooo!” And we catapulted into a series of deep worship songs — some from Michael’s albums and many from other artists. It was incredible. Words can’t describe the worship experience we had as more than 700 people stood, giving glory to a Lord Who asks nothing of us but gives everything ... if we’ll only believe. It was an amazing, intimate time of worship offering a sense of peace that blanketed the sanctuary. Simply beautiful. 

It was after ten when the concert ended. Feeling spiritually nourished but physically hungry, we tossed around a few ideas for a very late dinner. Chipotle would have been great but all were closed. “I have some roast I just cooked up ... and some sweet potatoes too. Would that be enough?” I asked. “Of course!” my parents said. “That’ll taste great!” 

Thinking we’d be grabbing food out, I hadn’t done any special planning aside from baking a fresh coffee cake to go with the next morning’s coffee. I washed, pierced and placed three sweet potatoes in the microwave, setting it on 8 minutes to cook as I changed into comfortable sweats. The roast was already cooked and needed only warming. About 20 minutes later, we were ready for a late-night dinner around my dinette with Murphy at our feet. 

Despite being a single gal, I go against conventional tradition and use my great grandma’s china dishes for everyday ware. Why? I believe anything I own, I should use and benefit from the joy it brings. After all, storing beautiful things (especially inheritances from loved ones) doesn’t put them at the forefront of my mind. I want to remember and celebrate the lives my grandparents and great grandparents lived; using and appreciating their beautiful things feels right to me. 

I placed a thick slice of well-seasoned roast on each of our plates along with a piping-hot sweet potato that released a cloud of steam upon cutting it. Realizing my last everyday drinking glass broke in the dishwasher several months ago, I scrambled for something aside from a coffee mug to hold our ice water. (I always drink from a water bottle; before that night, buying a new set of drinkware wasn’t a priority.) I opened the cupboard above my microwave, spotting four seasonal glass tumblers. That’ll work, I thought as I filled each Christmas Vacation glass with ice cubes and water. “Classy, huh?” I joked. Fine china and seasonal drinkware wouldn’t likely be featured on HGTV anytime soon. My parents laughed and said, “It’s fine! This looks wonderful!” (They’re too nice.) 

There we sat. Eleven-thirty p.m. and enjoying a quickly assembled dinner after a night of transcendent worship. Nothing fancy but we were together. I was nourished — body, mind and spirit. 

The next morning we woke up to the beautiful rays of sunshine announcing a new day. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it, I thought as my eyes opened to my dad smiling at me. Murphs was close at his feet with that trademark underbite I adore. All is well, I thought, smiling with a warmth in my heart. 

“Coffee time!” I exclaimed as I jumped off the couch. Funny how easy it is to wake up joyful when I have wonderful overnight guests. We found ourselves around the dinette once again, enjoying coffee and coffee cake as we chatted about life — memories, Grandma, our Greater purpose, the future — for over two hours. If there were ever a time to throw in a #nourished, this would be it. 

And then, my dad did yet another of those amazing things he does so often. As he got up to pour another mug of coffee, he circled the table, stopped by my chair, kissed my head and said, “You’re such a good hostess.” 

My heart melted. 

That’s my dad, showing God’s love. And that’s how the Lord continues to nourish me through heartache from those I’ve lost (Grandma) and for those I’m still waiting to come (future husband). I’m not ashamed to say I’m broken; we all are. Whether it’s mourning a loss, battles with anxiety or waiting for something more, we’re all in the same place. I’m thankful for the blessing of Godly parents, family and friends to place bandages of love on me when I need a little something extra. 

Embrace your loved ones; they won’t always be here. Celebrate the relationships you have and nurture them. Love the Lord and trust Him. Whatever your baggage, troubles or worries, He’ll work through others to carry you through. 

Because God moves through relationships, maybe even during a slumber party. 

To have Godly parents is a blessing.