Spontaneous

Last night we had the privilege of having dinner with a young couple that just adopted a baby boy. It was a special time to hold the little baby and to enjoy a meal together. There were stories about how he came to be a part of their family and their hopes and dreams for him as he grows up. It was all spontaneous (except for the meal prep). Incredible!


Just as we were about to eat, my phone rang. It was friends calling us spontaneously asking if we had dinner plans. I apologized and told them what we were doing. "No problem. We'll catch you next time."


Leaving the young families' house, even though it was well past dinner time, I called my friend and said, "we just finished dinner and we can meet you for coffee and desert." Spontaneously, he said, "my wife just put brownies in the oven, why don't you come over here?" Without hesitation, I told him we were on our way.


Spontaneous. No pre-planning. No checking a calendar to see if that date and time were open. No advanced conversations about where to go. No discussion about the time. Spontaneous.


Have we lost the art of being spontaneous?  Have we lost the art of simply inviting others to get together or do we think that we have to have a spotless house and exquisite menu?  


Several weeks ago my wife and I were in Boston to visit our son. He is the King of Spontaneous. Even though we have been to Boston many times, he took us down side streets and through areas of town we had never seen.


Destination?  None in particular. We were just spontaneously taking a drive. How refreshing.


Turning a corner in Jamaica Plain he pointed out a community center that he and many of his friends frequent. It is the hub of all community activities in that area of the city. Going in the front door you could feel the energy of our son and his friends as they prepared meals for Boston's homeless and helpless. 

I immediately fell in love with the name of the center...Spontaneous Celebrations.


How's that for a name for a center?  What would it look like if that sign hung over the front door of your home? What would happen if that was the name of your church?


Last night my wife and I went to two homes. Both could have easily had that sign hung over the entrance to their homes. And, I felt right at home.

Most of us are to busy to be spontaneous.

In the words from an old TV commercial..."Try it, you'll like it."

Spontaneous!