We are all invited

Speaking of phrases used in Ghana..

“You are invited”..

is another.

These aren’t foreign words of course, but the way they were used was new to me. 

I remember being befuddled the first time I heard..

“You are invited”..

in the way it was used.

I came out the house, and a member of the family was sitting down eating.

She looked at me and said..

“You are invited”

I’m invited? 

To what? 

Is someone going somewhere? 

Is someone having an event? 

What exactly am I being invited to? 

And then she gestured towards her food and said..

“I am having dinner, and you are invited.” 

Ah..

But having just eaten, I declined. 

However, I was still confused.

The woman who had just invited me knew I had just eaten.

A few days passed.

This time I was in the village.

Again I was coming out of the house.

Again I had just eaten.

And again I was invited. 

Another family member was having dinner when he saw me passing by.

“You are invited.” 

This time I understood. 

Well..

Partly. 

Because just like the first family member, he knew I had just eaten. 

And then it dawned on me. 

It’s a custom. 

An invitation. 

I didn’t have to accept, but the offer is always there. 

For you too.

“You are invited” 

To give.

To be generous. 

To bring about change. 

Even if you just ate. 

The invitation is always there.

Like the problem that can use your help..

Like the change that needs to be made..

Like those who could benefit from your gift.

You are invited.