Ronie Williams loves hosting birthday parties for her grandson, Jacob. And for other unique kids who aren’t often invited to birthday parties.
She started a mission after watching her own grandson, Jacob, go through the heartbreak of some rough birthday parties in the past.
“Special needs or unique kids do not get kids to come to their parties, or they don’t get invited to parties,” she explains. So she asked the community to show up for her grandson’s birthday, and they did!
Other unique kids. Friends and encouragers. Strangers eager to celebrate for the good of others. The theme was Spiderman. Cupcakes were provided. A good time was had by all, especially Jacob. He was all smiles!
Have you ever been not invited? Have you ever invited a bunch of people but only one or two showed up? It happens to all of us. It’s no fun.
For some, it happens again and again. That really hurts. Doesn’t anybody care? Doesn’t anybody see them?
Yes, Jesus does. Jesus hosts parties for people who aren’t invited to parties. Jesus attends parties hosted by people whose friends don’t show up.
Skeptics labeled Jesus as “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34). He gladly accepted that title.
Jesus told stories about parties where the host invites both high class nobles and the homeless camped under the bridge. The high class folks aren’t too happy, so the host sends his servants out to find more unique, unappreciated strangers who haven’t been invited to anything, ever.
They’re humbled. They appreciate the invitation. They love the rich mercy and free grace of Jesus.
When you’re not invited, when you don’t get the promotion, when another day goes by without a phone call from your family, when you ask her out and she says no, when you’re cut from the cheerleading squad, when our shame makes you hide, when being an introvert feels a little too lonely, when people look at you and aren’t sure what to say, when you look in the mirror and see a loser, when life convinces you that you’re a nobody … Jesus invites you to his party!
That’s better than Spiderman and cupcakes, and even the kindest grandmas.
PRAYER: Jesus, if you are a friend of sinners then I know you’re my friend. I need your mercy. Help your love to overflow from my heart into my everyday life, reaching out to the lonely, encouraging the underappreciated, and seeing those you love but society ignores. Amen.
EVANGELISM ACTION: Do you know a special needs family? A unique child? Say a prayer and then take a new step that recognizes them, seeks to understand them or opens up to them with love. You might not know exactly how to do this, so ask them. They’ll tell you.
