God's Party

I read something pretty cool this weekend that I wanted to share with everyone. Here's my attempt to summarize:

Jesus often compared the Kingdom of God to parties, feasts and banquets - a street party to which everybody is invited. I believe God invites people to leave their workaholism and rate race, loneliness and isolation and come to a party, to leave their exclusive parties and join inclusive parties celebrating goodness and love of God. To stop fighting or complaining or hating or competing and join a party. I came across a true story told by Tony Campolo that I think illustrates the inclusivity of God's Party.

Tony was in another time zone and couldn't sleep, so well after midnight he wandered down to a doughnut shop where, it turned out, local hookers also came at the end of a night of turning tricks. There he overheard a conversation between two hookers. One named Agnes, said, "You know what? Tomorrow is my birthday. I'm gonna be 39." Her friend said "So what d'ya want from me, a birthday party? Huh? You want me to get a cake and sing happy birthday to you?" Agnes replied, "Aw, come on, why do you have to be so mean? I'm just saying its my birthday. I don't want anything from you. I mean, why should I have a birthday party? I've never had a birthday party in my whole life. Why should I have one now?"

When they left, Tony got an idea. He asked the shop owner if Agnes came in every night, and when he replied that she did, Tony invited him into a surprise birthday for Agnes. The shop owner's wife even got involved. Together they arranged for a cake, candles and typical party decorations for Agnes, who was, to Tony a complete stranger, and to the shop owner, just another patron. The next night when she came in, they shouted, "Surprise," and Agnes couldn't believe her eyes. The doughnut shop patrons sang, and she began to cry so hard she could barely blow out the candles. When the time came to cut the cake, she asked if they'd mind if she didn't cut it, if she could bring it home--just to keep it for a while and savor the moment. So she left, carrying her cake like a treasure.

Tony led the guests in a prayer for Agnes, after which the shop owner told Tony he didn't realize Tony was a preacher. He asked what kind of church Tony came from, and Tony replied, "I belong to a church that throws birthday parties for prostitutes at 3:30 in the morning." The shop owner said, "No you don't. There ain't no church like that."

I feel fortunate that Watershed is a church like that.

What are our attitudes towards those that have made bad decisions in life. Are we inclusive with our acts of kindness, or are these acts conditional upon what choices people have made that are in need?