Welcome to our
End of the World Party
By Gina Welborn
You’re here!!! Finally!!! Come on in!!!!
Pardon my yelling but the pounding stereo system is blaring Kei$sha’s “We’re Gonna Die Young,” which is totally heathen music yet fitting for our End of the World Party. And yes the party has started. Dina arrived first so she could ensure our smoke machine was working properly. Or so she said.
Let’s make the most of the night ‘cause we’re gonna die young!
She convinced our baristas to join her on the dance floor until our sister Inkies arrive. Nice outfit! DeAnna’s over there in her jeans, tennis shoes and comfy shirt. Jen is wearing her extraordinarily comfortable pajama pants and huge Disneyland sweatshirt. Susanne chose her favorite black silk halter and white pants, while Barb impresses us all with her sparkly black and white top and black pencil skirt. I’m sure she’ll ditch the heels in another hour or so. Despite the warmth of the room, Niki is the crazy lady in leggings, boots, and a big cozy sweater. You must look at Deb’s new earrings. She bought them for the party. They’re a bit bold for jeans and a sweatshirt, but that’s Deb—vivacious.
Like my little black dress? I know it’s a bit daring, but I figured since Dina was going with something purple and sassy, I’d go as daring as I can. Plus, these are my Lucky shoes. They make me almost as tall as Dina.
Feel free to sit anywhere, or join the dancers. Oooh, the song is ending and the next one is—
I got a pocket, got a pocket full of sunshine, I got a love and I know that is all mine, oh oh oh oh . . .
Rather cheerful song amid looming catastrophe, eh? Take me away. Go on and join the Inkies out dancing with half our serving staff. Here comes, Jim with our drinks….
“Ladies, here is your orders of iced tea, chocolate shake, cherry Coca-Cola, Root Beer float,foofy mocktail, bottles of merlot, barefoot red moscato, and roscato wines, and someone’s foofy mocktail and a ‘Sweet Jane’ tea. I brought extras for you to share.”
Yum. Thank you, Jim. Er, for the drinks.
“Nathan, Orlando, Colin and Hugh will be arriving shortly with your food.”
Pardon me while I watch Jim walk away. He has a tendency to stumble, so I ought to keep an eye out for him. So far so good. Oh, look, the Inkies are inviting him to join them on the dance floor. They’re so sweet and sociable. Don’t want anyone to feel unwelcome. Ahh, new song. Perfect timing.
Woah-oh-oh-oh, it's always a good time, woah-oh-oh-oh, it's always a good time…
I love singing loudly with Owl City and Carly Rae! And it leads me into my Thought for the Day.
Today is a good day to die.
Or so Lieutenant Worf would oft say on Star Trek: The Next Generation. While I like Worf, I’m more of a Dr. House-kinda person with an “Everybody dies” theology. Well, that and “everybody lies.” Blame my cynicism. Hugh’s not serving us food (that’s a different Hugh), but I invited him to our party anyway. Can’t have too many handsome men in the room.
When my younger sister said they were having an End of the World Party at her work (fittingly at a hospital), I thought, “oooh, the Inkies ought to have one too. After all, today is a good day to die.”
Umm, no. Let’s face it—who really wants to die? How many Christians do you know have a “To live is Christ, to die is gain” mentality? More on that later, here come the guys with our food.
“I have . . . rare prime rib, sweet potato with lots of butter, crusty rolls, and red velvet cake. Steak and lobster from Outback. Did you know they have the BEST drawn butter?”
Yes, Colin, so DeAnna says. Mmmm...
“Ladies, let me share shrimp scampi, loaded baked potato, more potatoes baked with cream and gruyere, a salad with a lot of fattening blue cheese dressing, chocolate lava cake. And filet Mignon, cheesecake, and more chocolate.”
Most certainly share, Hugh. And did you bring me the fork I requested? Since I'm just going to sample what my Inky sisters ordered.
"Yes, ma'am. Here's your fork."
“Let us not forget pizza and chocolate, and all the donuts, cakes, pies, and pastries you ladies could possibly want."
No, Nathan, let us not. And, Orlando, what are you bestowing?
“A few books for my favorite ladies. Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand. Margery Allingham's Albert Campion series. The new Laura Franz book. The Lovely Bones, which Dina promised her daughter she would read. I am sorry to say I could not procure an unreleased copy ofthe latest in Diana Gabaldon Outlander series. Perhaps if we all read this edifying book Susanne requested, then the imminent destruction of the world would not occur.”
Oh. Well, that is a thought. Thank you, gentlemen. Please enjoy the dancing. Oh, listen. They started a new song, that one by Of Monsters and Men. My middle child loves that song. Dina, turn it up!!!
Don’t listen to a word I say. Hey! The screams all sound the same. Hey!
Actually, do listen for a moment longer.
A couple years ago, a preacher in the New England area was preaching THE WORLD WILL END in March or May of the following year (2011). I really can't remember which. Some of our friends were petrified. They kept asking us if we thought the world would end. Nope. But if it did, wahoo! I'm ready for eternity with the new heaven and a new earth.
But not everyone—even Christians—have a true longing for eternity.
What it comes down to is a fear of death. Why do people fear death? Why do Christians fear death? Should we? Should you? Do you?
Each time there is a World is going to End moment, Followers of Jesus have opportunity to let the peace lives in us shine for others to see.
I don't like being a person of fear.
Lately I've been thinking about how many adventures in life I've missed because I've been too fearful. I hated skiing because I feared hitting a tree and dying. Who was going to take care of my kids? Or falling and breaking my leg. How can I take care of my kids with a broken leg? I can’t go on the mission trip to ____. Who will take care of my kids if something happens to me? See a pattern?
So now that I’ve realized how unadventurous I’ve been, I’ve decided to make a Bucket List of things I’d like to do, especially ones that make me have to tackle fears. Such as bridges. Obviously I’m going to start with the free or cheap adventures.
Adventuresome is the word I feel God telling me is my word for 2013 and beyond.
Baring today’s natural destruction, of course.
Being adventuresome doesn't mean I'm going to do something stupid. Or risk death and dismemberment.
Scripture clearly says God does not give us a spirit of fear, so no matter how big or small, real or unrealistic my fears are, they aren't from God. They aren't what God wants to control me. Doesn't mean I have to touch a spider, but it does me I shouldn't have a freak out moment when I see one.
When I asked my Inky sisters what they’d like to do on their last day alive, they answered:
Go horseback riding in the mountains. Go to Disneyland or Disneyworld. Hug my husband and kids.
Gather family together, watch old home movies, look at picture albums and reminisce. Jet off to a Highland castle. Mountain hiking or a beach day with my family. Something to really enjoy the beautiful earth. Something exhilarating, like riding roller coasters. And lots of dancing. Kiss the man I love until the world ends.
Some of those things we can’t do. Many of them we can.
Whether the world ends today or not, what type of person will people say you are?
A person controlled by her fears.
Adventuresome because she is free indeed.
What type of person do you see yourself as? Are you good with that? If you aren't, then what are you willing to do to change?
As if on cue, a new song is playing.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, stand a little taller…
"Would you care to dance?"
Why yes, Jonny Lee, yes I would. But I think Deb would like to share a dance first. I'll go dance with our faux wallflower barista before he drinks the rest of Susanne's tea.
QUESTION OF THE DAY:: Author Robin Lee Hatcher often shares about asking God to give her a word for the year. Brave. Prayerful. Patient. What word do you feel God has been speaking into your life lately?
Leave a comment for a drawing of DeAnna’s Letters in the Attic, The Key in the Attic, or In Honor Bound.
Should the world not end today, join us tomorrow for our We Survived the End of the World Party. Jennifer is giving away a copy of one of her books. I'll also be sharing a list of Christian fiction books that literally changed readers lives.
~*~
RWA-Faith, Hope & Love Chapter President-elect, GINA WELBORN has currently has changed her Level 4 brown hair to Level 7 blonde. She's still debating if she likes it. For those of you who are far more interested in what Gina writes than in her hair-color dilemma (gray hair causes one to take drastic measures), her first Barbour novella, Sugarplum Hearts, released in February 2012 in HIGHLAND CROSSINGS. Her second novella, All Ye Faithful, in A CASCADES CHRISTMAS is out now, with her third novella releasing fall 2013. Gina resides in a wee little town outside a larger (but not large) town in Oklahoma. Thanks to her pastor-husband's ability to spray a fabulous chemical called Demon, her children don't get to enjoy raising hunter spiders, grasshoppers, and crickets. While they are (mostly) saddened, Gina is delighted.
i would have to say patience. feel 3 weeks ago and hurt my wrist. the pain was getting worse and finally today i had it splinted and the pain is almost gone and bearable. but having to type one handed which is so slow.
ReplyDeletealso learning enpathy.
Woot! What a party.
ReplyDeleteCome on over here, Orlando dear.
No, really, I just want some of those books. :D
Thanks Gina. I appreciate your chivalry. I have to do my dancing before attempting the lobster. Oh dear, I didn't really want to die frumpy.
ReplyDeleteLet's PARTY LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW!!!
How sweet that our favorite wait staff chose to spend it with us!
(How am I ever going to read a book in this noise?)
ANd where are my tickets for the UK? ugh. my mind is going. So what?
THat new body we get in the next life is looking better and better all the time!
PS. I did fine with my word of the year TRUST. I Trusted God with my messy life. I really must start thinking of a new one. First to focus in on what my biggest disappointment was. I SAID IT'S HARD TO HEAR MYSELF THINK...
ReplyDeleteWow, this was like the funnest virtual party ever!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fearful person, but as someone who has faced significant danger, the hardest thing for me was fear of pain or separation from family. Not actual death.
My word for the year, I think it might be surrender. Last year was really a year of working toward my goals, but this year I feel like I need to surrender to whatever God's plan is.
Whoo hoo! Dancing! So who is drinking all of my tea? Er, excuse me, whom is sharing my tea? I'm done with my foofy mocktail. It's tea time. C'mon back Orlando!
ReplyDeleteI think TRUST has been my unofficial word of the year. I'll keep it until the Lord gives me a new one. I've been learning how much I've been deluding myself when I say I've been trusting Him. I really haven't.
Am I afraid of death? Sure, a bit, but mostly I'm afraid of separation from my family. I can't wait for heaven. The world is a broken place and that's why we have Christmas in the first place. I can't wait to be with the Lord in glory, and nobody will ever be afraid, hungry, sad, lonely, lost, wounded...not anymore.
Great party.
ReplyDeleteI am so not good with the word-for-the-year thing.
Prioritize, maybe? I've been feeling like I've been hopping from deadline to deadline, without being centered. I'd say "control" should be the word--I need to control my schedule, not let it be controlled by outside influences, but that sounds decidedly unspiritual.
Jenny...patience
ReplyDeleteDeb...trust
Dina...surrender
Susanne...trust
Barb...control
Great words, ladies!
Barb, I think control is a strange word but not necessarily unspiritual. I've, too, been thinking how I want in 2013 to be more organized and in control of my schedule. So I've been pondering "can I make a schedule for the seven hours my kids are at school AND can I adhere to it?"
I don't know.
I want to try. Let me know if you come up with a good organizational method to control your schedule/time.
Since Jenny mentioned a struggle she's having, let's pause the party to pray for her.
ReplyDeleteJesus, bring healing to Jenny's wrist and quickly so that she can resume her regular activities without any hinderances. Also fill her with your peace so that she will have more patience through her circumstances and trials. I ask that you do something amazing this weekend to remind Jenny of the depth of your love for her.
Music back up and blaring to my favorite trashy George Michael song...You Gotta Have Faith!
ReplyDeleteFitting since Eli Stone is here.
Gosh, I miss that show.
Susanne, I plead the fifth in who is our faux wallflower barista who's drinking your "Sweet Jane" tea. Plus, he brought me a book to read. One he wrote himself. Okay, with professional assistance.
thanks Gina, its so good to wake up pain free for the first time in over 3 weeks.
ReplyDeleteenjoying partying and chatting with my good mate Hugh Jackman, good to have a fellow cricket fanatic at a party.
Jenny I'm thinking that if Australia has made it into Dec 22... then this end of the world thing was a farce.
ReplyDeleteAnd man oh man, my stomach aches. so much for partying like there's no tomorrow. I guess my new diet starts...tomorrow.
hey, here in the northern hemisphere, the daylight starts to get longer from here on out! hooray (too bad it comes at the price of 3 more months of cold, wind, snow and ice up north.
Oh Debra that means our days will get shorter. yes i made it!
ReplyDeleteim ready to sleep of the feast
Hey, is it safe to come out of my bunker now??? My, oh my, I do love our wait staff. Such charming fellows. And wonderful dancers :)
ReplyDeleteAhh, ladies, the party has ended. Wait staff has left but promise to return upon next invite. Apparently they find us charming and rather snazzy dancers, which we must thank Dina and C.J. because of their Regency dance instructions as we celebrated the release of Dina's novel, Love in Three-Quarter Time.
ReplyDelete(yawn)
Guess I'll turn in.
Mark me down for the next End of the World party.