The invitation

Jean and Marcy wanted to cook for a few friends, and emailed me an invitation a week or two ago. I was uncertain, and didn't reply right away, and then forgot to reply later. Today I received a second invitation.

I have never done that. I have never been issued an invitation twice. It is hard enough for me to ask once and risk being rejected. But to put your cheek out twice for striking is more than I have ever achieved. What Jean and Marcy did, in my book, is an act of heroism. On two counts.

For one, they gave me the benefit of the doubt: Maybe Andrée was out of town when the first email was sent. Maybe she just didn't notice the email. Maybe she or one of her kids accidentally deleted it. Maybe she meant to reply---or thought she replied---but didn't. Maybe she is ill. Maybe I have done something to offend her. "Love believes all things; love hopes all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7). That is, love gives the benefit of the doubt.

Secondly, their act showed the humility of the man in Luke 14:15-24 who sent out invitations to his banquet. No RSVPs, evidently. Just before suppertime, he sent servants to fetch the invitees, and they all had lame excuses for why they could not make it.

The parable was about the Lord, of course. Does the God of the universe humble himself so much as to invite us twice? "I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people" (Isaiah 65:2).

The other day, the little boys across the street saw my granddaughter coming and ran into the house, shutting the door behind them. Undaunted by the slight, and not yet sophisticated in the ways of evil like her grandmother, Nassia went to their door and knocked.

They ended up playing all afternoon.

To hear commentaries by Andrée Seu, click here.