We had our first “Dinner Party” tonight in our new house. My sister and her family came over as well as my mom. I was struggling with what I was going to make, and what we would do, and so on and so on. Why was I so worried about this? It was my family and they were coming over for dinner. Plain and simple. I finally convinced my self that is wasn’t worth worrying over. There is a book I want to read called Practicing Hospitality, the Joy of Serving Others. It talks about how to be hospitable in a Godly way. That is what I had to remind myself of tonight. Of course I wanted them to leave saying how great my tacos made with homemade tortillas were but more importantly I hope they left feeling the love of Christ.
There is no place like home!
August 28, 2008 at 6:34 (Hospitality)
home sweet home
What a week I have had. I was busy all last week packing up our apartment and trying to keep it cleaned all at the same time. We closed Friday morning on our first house! It was so exciting. Everyone told us we would be sitting there forever but it only took about 30 mins to complete. We moved out of our apartment on saturday. We had so many people willing to help us move and we were so grateful for their hard work. The first night we were in the house I couldn’t sleep at. I thought I would fall right to sleep considering I only got 4 hours of sleep the night before (More on that later) and moving. I got up at one point and started unpacking some more boxes. My mom was a huge help and we worked together on Sat afternoon getting my kitchen put away. We still have somemore boxes to put up and clothes to put away but for the most part everything is in its place.
Over the past few days that we have lived in the house I have been able to understand the saying “There is no place like home.” I always felt that way about the house grew up in. I loved being home and love going back there whenever I can. I moved to Georgia 3 years ago from Ohio. When I first moved down I lived with my sister and her family. That was a huge blessing and I enjoyed spending that time with her, but it wasn’t “my home” After about 6 months I moved out with my mom and got an apartment. It was fine nothing fancy just a place to live. I got married a year later and Brantley and I moved into an apartment. It was cute and had a nice little fireplace. We made some great memories there and ones that we will never forget. But it never really felt like home. It was on the bottom level of the building so there wasn’t a whole lot of natural light, it was small, and very sterile looking. We did do somethings to make it our own but, it just wasn’t home.
Every time I pull into my driveway, I just think to myself, there is no place like home. We want God to use this home for His glory. What does that mean? Maybe a neighborhood cookout, a bible study, a journey group, game nights, pampered chef parties. I really don’t know but I look forward to seeing how God uses this house. I pray that when someone enters our house they feel the love of Christ as they walk through the door. I pray they feel welcomed, and comfortable. I want people to feel like this is their home too. I am striving to make our home an example of what our heavenly home will be like. God You gave us this house, take it back and use it to bring glory to your kingdom!
