B&B hosts tell the best stories.

If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, or if you follow my Instagram, you know I love to travel. For me and Tony, it’s probably our favorite thing to do together. Early in our marriage, we discovered we really enjoy staying at Bed and Breakfasts. AirB&B or traditional B&B’s, we are in. And on our travels, we’ve had some incredible hosts.

One of our favorite’s, we’ll call her “V,” we met in Northern Ireland. We stayed in her charming B&B for a few days, while checking out Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, and Mussenden Temple. One morning, over tea and a traditional Irish Breakfast, “V” shared a story I don’t think I’ll ever forget. If we hadn’t seen the photo’s, we may not have believed it.

A few years before our stay, “V” had been invited to a fancy party at the Royal Castle (seriously). But because the date of the event stated on the invitation was April 1st, she thought it was an April Fool’s joke. She didn’t want to be made a fool of, so she put the invitation in a stack of papers to be thrown away. Then she forgot about it.

A few weeks later, someone from the organization putting on the event called to see why they hadn’t received her R.S.V.P. “V” almost hung up on them. But they assured her, that though the date of the event was unfortunate, they were calling about an actual party—one, she was invited to. Finally, “V” said she would come. They gave her all these instructions to not forget to bring the invitation, and to make sure she brought a form of ID. It all seemed a little much, but she agreed.

At the castle, the night of the party, “V” stood in a big fancy room. With other guests, she listened enraptured to an acclaimed choir. Then half way through their first song, the Prince of Whales leaned over and asked her if she liked their music. No joke. Prince Charles was standing right next to her. She had a whole conversation with him and Camilla. At a party she almost didn’t attend, she dined with royalty.

As our host told us of her shock in meeting Prince Charles, and how glorious the party had been, her face glowed. None of us expect to be in the presence of Royalty, let alone to be invited into their home. “V”’s story is the closest to Cinderella’s, I have heard in real life.

Later, after we said goodbye to “V” and her beautiful B&B, I couldn’t help but think about how she described that night in the castle. Or more so, how she almost didn’t go to the party because she thought it was a bad joke.

All of us have the fear of being made a fool. We don’t want to show up for a fake party. We don’t want to be embarrassed or let down.

But what if this fear is keeping us from more than we realize?

This Sunday is April Fool’s Day. It’s also Easter. At first, their shared day seemed to me like an actual bad joke. Until, I remembered our B&B host’s story.

The idea that the God of the Universe would care so much about you and me, that He would become a man and die for us on a cross, seems unbelievable. Further, that He would do all of this so we could know our true worth and His love for us, feels like a fairytale. It’s like getting an invitation to the castle, and discovering the Royal Family wants to talk to you specifically.

It doesn’t seem real.

Yet that is what Easter is; an unbelievable yet actual invitation. One grander than any earthly Royal family could offer. Though many will focus more on searching for Easter Eggs or on pulling off the perfect April Fool’s joke this Sunday, those who believe the Easter story, and ask in faith for God to enter their lives, will not be disappointed. Rather, like our B&B host, they will have a story to tell for the rest of their lives.

Have you heard the Easter Story?

Have you found it hard to believe?

 

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