I haven’t been to a party in a while. And now that I think about it, I haven’t been to many special occasions in quite some time. So, I misjudged the timing of getting myself there. Needless to say, I was slightly late.

Do you ever have those moments, or maybe it’s an entire day when your plans go the opposite of what you expected? One small thing snowballs into another one, and before you you know it, you’re wondering if you’re ever going to make it to your destination?

It took me a little longer to get to the party than I expected, and honestly, I just had to laugh at the small roadblocks along the way. The gas light always comes on when you don’t want to stop at the gas station but know you need to.

Leaving without essential items like deodorant meant an extra stop at Walgreens. You don’t go to a party without deodorant, right? It’s that moment when you want the most economical option, not buy one and get the other half off.

Google Maps is so helpful. It is. But I still can manage to get ahead of her and take a wrong turn. Google Maps doesn’t always recommend u-turns. While I was only a minute away from my destination yet unknowing, it directed me on a 15-minute extra scenic route.

All these delays though can lead to one divine delay.

That morning, running unexeptantly into a friend I don’t see very often was a joy. You know, one of those friends who will pour out wisdom and light in a matter of just a couple of minutes, making all the mishaps fade away?

All that to say, it’s okay even if you’re late for the party. What if you can celebrate the moments along the way? Even the small detours can be for the best, especially the divine moments that matter so much more instead of making it on time.

What if it’s okay if you’re late?
What if you embrace the mess?
What if it’s okay to say no rather than always to say yes?
What if it’s okay to step away?

You can celebrate that it’s okay. Celebrate that you can laugh at yourself and carry on with freedom. Because even though there are things along the way that may not make sense, you’re going in the right direction.

You’re going in the right direction because you’re choosing to trust to follow Jesus. And even if you’re late to the party, it’s okay. Because Jesus is there, waiting for you. In fact, He is even with you as you’re on your way to the party.

I’m glad I made it to the party this weekend, even late. To laugh and celebrate with close friends is a treasure.

I’m also glad that Jesus invites us every moment to a banquet table prepared in love and grace for us. He prepares a table for us. Even through the unexpected or uncertainty, even during the least expected times, even when we close a door to open another, goodness and love will follow us.

Jesus is right there with you for every big decision. He is with you when you need to say no. He’s right there with you when you take a wrong turn. He’s there to cry with you, to laugh with you. He will weep with you and dance with you. He will celebrate with you.

And He’s even there when you’re late for the party.