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Last weekend some friends invited me for supper with soup and baguette, with the intention that I would make up a foursome to play mahjong. Giving thanks for the kind invitation I explained that I had never played mahjong and, being ruthlessly honest, I wasn't really a table game person! It has never been Carol and my 'thing'.
Graciously they said that I should come for supper anyway, but added a note that they wouldn't be able to play the game without me. To entice me they suggested I google the game to become more aware (and enthusiastic). Actually, I had already googled it and been somewhat overwhelmed by the complications of its symbols and rules! I know that any mahjong afficionado reading this will be horrified by my casual attitude to what is clearly a great and serious game.
Guess what happened? After a tasty supper the mahjong tiles were opened up and spread over the table. Painstakingly the tiles were explained alongside the rules, with assurance that I would be helped every step of the way. As I created my wall and examined tiles, seeking to match some of them up my kind host, sitting on my right, explained I had some good ones and what we would be doing next. My presence required patience from the other three when each turn reached me. I wasn't sure how the process might end. I wasn't sure about anything! I was told to exclaim pung as I laid out three identical tiles and kong as I arrived at four. Tutored by my helper all the way, she would look at the remaining tiles and make suggestions. Suddenly, and to my surprise, she said that my last tile completed my group and I should declare mahjong. Which meant I had won the round!
My host counted up the points. The highest total was 32 until he began totting up mine. Quite unwittingly I had combined some point scoring tiles. My total was 144. The others were gracious at my utterly undeserved victory. Utterly undeserved.
It reminded me how grace works in the Christian life. It really is amazing grace how the Lord works for us and brings us through. It also reminded me how good it is to be with friends for a happy supper. .
