Monday, February 9, 2009

My three special guests....



One day I decided to make a big fuss over my family. I mean I got the house shinning, the dinning room table was set in my finest dinnerware, and the fresh flowers from the garden were set in a beautiful vase that my grandma had given me in the center of the table. Why not? I go through all of this for special guest, don't I?

All of a sudden, the kids all realized that something big was about to happen and they wanted to know right away, who was coming for dinner. (Isn't that funny, our kids know when someone special is coming over? As if this were the only times I cleaned and cooked!) I looked at them with an excited smile and told the three of them that indeed there were, three very "Special Guests" joining us this evening! I then asked if they'd like to help me by running up stairs and making three very special crowns out of paper and glitter.

The excitement level was at a high and they could not wait to be a part of the festivities that were about to take place this very evening. And the not knowing who these three special guest were, really added an extra dose of excitement to the atmosphere of that day!

As I worked hard to prepare this very special meal and atmosphere for my three special guests, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with thankfulness to God for blessing me with this incredible family that he had put me, of all people, in charge of!

That evening as the kids placed three crowns on the plates that they had made for our special guest they immediately noticed that there were only five place settings. All of a sudden, sadness struck each one of them, as they thought out loud to me, "Mom, are we not invited to this special dinner?" I immediately smiled and told them, "well of course you are!"

As I looked at them, I told them, "You are my special guests!" Deep sigh of relief, as they all jumped up and down shouting, "we are special, we are special!"

What are we saving our beautiful china for? Let's pull it out of that china cabinet and use it on our special guest!

God is preparing a beautiful banquet table for all of his special guest one day,....us his children! I'll bet he uses all of His finest china for us on that special day and every day therefore after!

Let's lavish the love .... and don't forget to - set the table!

26 comments:

P-Dot said...

You are so special.....typed thru tears, as I enjoy reading about your loving heart. I KNOW why God gave all of them to you, because you have always been so special.

Christine said...

Awwe Penni that is so kind of you, I treasure your words.

Bonnie said...

Chris, Ive said it before and I'll it again - you are an inspiration. I think Im going to try this. My kids are older than yours were but I think I can put a twist on it that will still make them feel great.

Ms. Tee said...

You're such a sweet mama. :) Your kids won't ever forget all these sweet things you do for them!

Lorrie said...

What a special time with your kids--it was fun to hear you tell the story!

Karen said...

Wow. Leaves me kind of sniffling! What a fun thing! Sometimes when I hear of special times people had with their children growing up, I want to rewind life so I can experience that with mine. That was wonderful.
OK, so you're laughing at my books! And yes, I do get rid of the ones I buy that I don't like, or that are so-so and I trade them at the used paperback book store. But my favorite authors, if I can find it, I buy the new hardbacks.
I have a friend who moved back to Michigan who is getting up in years, and I will box up about 12 books at a time and ship them back for her to read. She gets so excited. Then she ships them back. It's perfect!
Again, beautiful beautiful post!!! Hugs. Karen

Unknown said...

Thats so great!

Sue said...

This is such a sweet post, you made a memory that will stay with them forever; I would loved to have seen their faces when you told them they were the special guests. I miss being able to do things like this for my children. I so enjoyed visiting with you tonight.
Blessings,
Sue

Amy said...

Oh Christine, what an inspiration you are to this mom. Simple love, lavished over your 3 treasures. Oh, Lord, Jesus, help me to do the same. It is so easy to for me to get my priorities out of wack and forget that my treasure is here with my sweet hubby and 3 gifts. Thankyou for this precious memory and reminder to all who read it.

Your children, I know, call you blessed.

Hugs.. Amy

Carol said...

This was awesome. I love how you had them make crowns. It's true we need to lavish love on our loved ones, and treat them special too.

OH I Got my package today. I posted it too. LOVE IT. My darling daughter already ate her choclate, but I'm saving mine till Saturday. Thanks so much.

Love,
Carol

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this post - I am one of those people who saves everything for best, and those really best occassions come so rarely that all the nice stuff hardly ever gets used and it just lies there waiting, for say christmas etc. I think what youve said is very valid and its made me think twice about saving all the nice stuff for best. We deserve to have that stuff out everyday and not only on special occassions. We are all special and yourkids will truly remember this evening when they were the 'guests' wow! great post christine!

Christine said...

Bonnie ~ I can't wait to read what you come up with! You are so creative.
Ms Tee ~ Ty and I think you are pretty sweet too!
Lorri ~ Thanks, sometimes I wish they were still little, yet happy they are where they are now.
Karen ~ Wouldn't that be fun to be able to rewind every now and then? What a great way to share your books!
Carrie ~ Thanks, can't wait to see more of your doll house!
Beautiful pear tree ~ I sometimes miss it too.
Amy ~ You are welcome and I hope so! =O)
Carol ~ Glad you got your gift! Glad you enjoyed
Winterwood ~ I know, what are we waiting for!...lol

Hugs to all =O)

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What a great mom you are Christine! How special you children must have felt to know that you cared about them so much!

Such a good idea! I hope you don'[t mind if I borrow it?

Thanks!

Jen

Ginger said...

Hi Christine:
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love what you wrote on your profile, got a kick out of it.
Yes, I have twin boys, they'll be 33 on St.Patricks day. (they were a complete surprise, thought I was having one girl).
I enjoyed your blog and went back and read a couple of old ones. Loved the Valentine day towel that you embroidered the bear onto.
I'll come back again.
Ginger

Debbie said...

Hi Christine. I was over at The Gingerbread Shed leaving a comment and yours was above mine. I have twins that will be 18 the day before Valentine's Day! I just had to come over and say hi.

Debbie said...

And I was so excited to leave my first comment, that I didn't take time to read your post. This is wonderful. What a great mother you are.

Primitives By The Light of The Moon said...

I loved the story of how your children are so special to you. Our own kids have brought us so much pleasure and now we enjoy the benefits of a lil' grandson it just keeps getting better!
Congratulations you are the winner of the "My Heart's Desire" giveaway. Just send me an email and I'll get it out to you. You will find a link on my blog...just click on the cows!
:)Ginger

Nina Diane said...

are you kidding me...that is just the sweetest thing ever!!! I can only imagine that your kids thought they were kings and queens that day!

Sit A Spell said...

Loved this post...sounds like something I would do. However, my daughter would think it was grand and my son would be sad a buddy wasn't coming. By the way...he DID find one pair of mittens in his locker at school! Another was in the mini van...one more ...who knows? (the bus driver doesn't : )

Unknown said...

Hey I tagged you come by and check it out!

Sarah said...

Christine,

Sure appreciate you stopping by my blog and leaving such kind words. I love the name of your blog and I LOVE the three special guests story. My kids would get a huge kick out of me doing this, so I need to figure out when! Thanks so much for sharing -

Blessings to you today...

Jeanne Oliver said...

Thank you for visiting my site today. I love your post! My ONLY resolution this year was to lavish my children and husband as I do our guests. Why am I saving the good dishes, food and linens for company? With tears in my eyes I thank you for rekindling this deep desire again in me.

Wendy said...

...for where your heart is, there will your treasure be also...

What a lovely post. What a sweet memory this will be for you and your dear ones -- especially in these times, our families need more TLC. ♥

Thanks for sharing!

Jane! said...

Yeah, except I'm going to use the stoneware because the good china can't go in the dishwasher.
What a great post.
Glad you stopped by!

Lynette Jacobs said...

Christine this is one of the best posts I have read in a while. Yes our children should always be our special guests. Now you have got me thinking!

Georgia Girl said...

You always make me smile when hearing about all the ways you created lasting memories for them. Lot of your ideas I have tried such as the special Valentine boxes and the Haloween fun. Gee your really a special lady I wish I lived closer to you just so I can meet you. Thanks for making me smile today cause I so have needed a smile this week after all I have been through. Your so special to me!