We experienced one of the most unique festivals on our last trip to Spain. Hundreds and hundreds of ladies dressed in flamenco dresses, with their partners in suits. They were all flocking to the tented fairgrounds; picture Time Square in New York City. We were lost in a sea of people, all dressed up with some place to go.

The Seville fairgrounds hosted over 1,000 tents. The vast majority of the tents were ‘private’; which meant you dressed up and walked around in hopes of getting invited in. Any mamas out there having flashbacks to lunchtime at their middle school cafeteria?

The allure of the elite invite captured us too.  What tent could we go in? Hubby knew there was one tent that would be open to us. One tent, out of the thousand, where we were the intended guests. One tent where a tourist would not require an invite to enter. It was the City of Seville tourist tent. Believe me, no one would question if we were tourists! Our only problem now, we just had to find this ONE tent out of a thousand. This was our needle in a haystack challenge. Our search began.  We missed it on the first go round, but found it on our second go round.  Perseverance paid off mamas.

Even though we were the intended guests, we didn’t just waltz right past the gatekeepers at the front entrance. My hubby walked confidently to the tent door. I held my breath, as there was a verbal exchange that I could not hear. Seconds later, and an exhale… VOILA we entered.  We made it! 

Inside the tent a whole new world awaited us. There were lights, flowers, music, dancing, a bathroom and a bar! Everything we needed for a memorable evening, all under one tent. We found our spot. I savored the feeling of belonging in a foreign country, amongst a sea of strangers.

Mamas, you may never make it to Seville to partake in this great tent search BUT do you know what tent is always open to us? Regardless of where we are in the world,…or how we are dressed… or whether or not we have the right connections… a tent where you aren’t questioned at the door. Where the gatekeeper says: “Come to me all you who are dressed up in flamenco and looking for an invite…”  Wait a minute… I have that verse wrong:  Jesus actually said:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”   Matthew 11: 28-30

The respite inside the tourist tent was exactly what we needed that evening. After miles of walking, searching, we needed the escape from the droves of people searching for their invite. We went from wandering and invisible to instantly seen and special.

Mamas, let this story be a reminder, you don’t have to find your tent or your people.  Jesus accepts you just the way you are.