JUNE 25 – Some special day!

“When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’” Luke 14:15-24

It was Granddad’s birthday. He was seventy-six. He got up early, shaved, showered, combed his hair and put on his “best” clothes so he would look nice when they came.

Usually he would take a daily walk to the local cafe where he met his cronies for morning coffee, and a chat to put the world to rights. Today, he skipped his walk. He wanted to be home when they came.

Getting his gardening tools out of the shed, he pottered around in his immaculate front garden so he would get a better view of the street when they drove up to help celebrate his birthday. Grandma bustled around the kitchen cooking a rice pudding – favourite of the family as children. By noon Grandad felt tired but decided not to take his usual nap so he could be alert when they came, and spent the rest of the afternoon sitting by the telephone so he could answer it when they called to say they were on their way.

Grandad has five married children, thirteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. One son and daughter lived within ten miles of his home. They hadn't visited him for a long time....but today was his birthday, they were sure to come - today or all days.

At supper-time he left the cake untouched so they could cut it and have desert with him. After supper he sat on the porch....waiting. At 8:30 he went to his room to prepare for bed.  Before retiring for the night, he left a note on the door which read, “Be sure to wake me up when they come.”

It was Granddad’s birthday. He was seventy-six. (Acknowledgements to Ann Landers)

Do you know someone who is waiting for you to call?

The music is a little different today – The Isaacs, “Grandpa (tell me 'bout the good old days)”