I pulled on my sweats and gathered my laptop, planner, and water bottle. It was the end of a long day so I wanted to be comfy, but I was running a bit late for a meeting with some friends and had to hustle.

I pulled up to my friend’s home and noticed extra cars parked on the street. Oooo—the neighbors must be having a party, I thought to myself. I knocked on the front door and let myself in, as is the custom with this friend. A long line of women’s shoes ran down the entryway, and I assumed her high schooler was working on a school project with some classmates.

I walked to the kitchen but instead of teenage girls, I saw a group of women—my friends!—and they were drinking wine! My jaw dropped and my mind raced—obviously I had forgotten something or mixed up my dates. This was a party, and I was way underdressed and had not brought a gift.

It was at this point that my friends came over to me and said, “Surprise!” This was not a work meeting—it was a surprise baby shower for me! It took me minutes to understand what was going on, and it was so unexpected that I was a bit shocked, yet immensely happy.

My surprise baby shower was a joyful event, but it also gave me the experience of being completely surprised. My friendships were long-standing and hard-fought throughout the years. We had a rich history of helping each other. But I didn’t expect this. It makes me wonder about the experience the unprepared virgins had in today's Gospel, Matthew 25:12-13.

The virgins were turned away from the groom because they hadn’t put in the effort. I never, ever want to be turned away from the Bridegroom. When Jesus returns I want to be ready to greet Him, and so I spend my days drawing near to Him through His Word, prayer, and doing the work to which He has called me. Do you want the same, sister?

When He returns I will be immensely happy. Come, Lord Jesus!

[bctt tweet="When Jesus returns, I want to be ready to greet Him. // @BonnieEngstrom" username="blessedisshe__"]

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