Every true home is an influence of blessing in the community where it stands. It's lights shine out. It's songs ring out. It's spirit breathes out. The neighbors know whether it is hospitable or inhospitable, warm or cold, inviting or repelling. Some homes bless no lives outside their own circle; others are perpetually pouring out sweetness and fragrance. The ideal Christian home is a far reaching benediction. It sets its lamps in its windows, and while they give no less light and cheer to those within, they pour a little beam upon the gloom without, which may brighten some dark path and put a little cheer into the heart of some belated passerby. Its doors stand open to everyone who comes seeking shelter from the storm, or sympathy in sorrow, or help in trial..."
Obviously, Reverend Miller is not speaking of being hospitable to the animals in the neighborhood, but I thought these sweet pictures would support what I'm trying to say, and what I aspire our home to be... >*.*<
I love Milo, our neighbor's black cat. He's become a "special friend", though my family probably wouldn't agree he's special. They think he's a pest because he takes advantage of my hospitality. I think he's pretty smart and knows how loved he is here (by me), so why shouldn't he return? I love on him as oft as he comes, making that the requirement before giving him 1/4 cup of food...(sometimes two and three times a day, Ha!).
Rev. J.R. Miller, 1882
Obviously, Reverend Miller is not speaking of being hospitable to the animals in the neighborhood, but I thought these sweet pictures would support what I'm trying to say, and what I aspire our home to be... >*.*<
I love Milo, our neighbor's black cat. He's become a "special friend", though my family probably wouldn't agree he's special. They think he's a pest because he takes advantage of my hospitality. I think he's pretty smart and knows how loved he is here (by me), so why shouldn't he return? I love on him as oft as he comes, making that the requirement before giving him 1/4 cup of food...(sometimes two and three times a day, Ha!).
He's a good example of friends who need an extra measure of love some days. Milo is loved by his family, but he knows he's always welcome here and he'll be loved over and over again any day he wishes!
It doesn't matter
how little time you have to give to others, or how scant your pantry
is, when the needs are there, the door needs to swing open wide anyway.
Whether you have a lot to share, or just a little, I believe the Lord
blessed efforts to love and point others to Him.
I will never forget one Saturday evening, several years ago, when we'd worked outside in the yard all day. We were nearing the end of our project, and cleaning up was the last thing to do before going in to prepare dinner. I'd not preplanned dinner, but figured we'd eat light after a long, hot day.
Well, a young neighbor friend came over, and asked, "Mrs. Gray, what are you eating for dinner tonight?" I immediately thought how odd it was that she'd ask, but I replied, "I'm not sure. What are you having?" She answered by saying, "I don't think we're having dinner. Can I eat dinner with y'all?" That request caught me a little off guard, but I accepted the idea and thought "This is a good time, so let's go with it." So that's what we did. My young friend, said, "I'll go ask my mom", so I encouraged her to bring her mother and brother also. When she came back, she came instead with her next door neighbor who'd just knocked on her door to ask to play. Being that my young friend had her mother's permission to eat with us, and her mother would not come, she decided to invite her friend to join us, which was fine. It wasn't long before my young friend's brother joined us also.
That evening, Katherine, not very old herself, helped me put together a quick pancake and bacon dinner, with fruit and orange juice. We set the table w/dishes, pretty napkins, though nothing fancy, and everything we needed to make our breakfast dinner yummy.
As it turned out, nine of us sat around the table, and enjoyed a fun evening together. I really think our young friends felt they were treated special that evening. You'd have thought from listening to them talk that they'd been invited to a fancy meal. One of the girls commented how pretty the table was, and followed up her compliment with, "My family never sits at the table, and we don't use dishes. We use paper plates." That seemed sad to me, though I understood how brief the amount of time people truly spend together sharing a meal, especially when mothers and fathers work and in this case, the sister and brother didn't have a father in the home.
I prayed when those children left that evening, that they'd feel full and loved with what we had to offer them, but most importantly that they'd one day realize the Lord desired fellowship with them, He from whom love and the fullness of life flows.
I will never forget one Saturday evening, several years ago, when we'd worked outside in the yard all day. We were nearing the end of our project, and cleaning up was the last thing to do before going in to prepare dinner. I'd not preplanned dinner, but figured we'd eat light after a long, hot day.
Well, a young neighbor friend came over, and asked, "Mrs. Gray, what are you eating for dinner tonight?" I immediately thought how odd it was that she'd ask, but I replied, "I'm not sure. What are you having?" She answered by saying, "I don't think we're having dinner. Can I eat dinner with y'all?" That request caught me a little off guard, but I accepted the idea and thought "This is a good time, so let's go with it." So that's what we did. My young friend, said, "I'll go ask my mom", so I encouraged her to bring her mother and brother also. When she came back, she came instead with her next door neighbor who'd just knocked on her door to ask to play. Being that my young friend had her mother's permission to eat with us, and her mother would not come, she decided to invite her friend to join us, which was fine. It wasn't long before my young friend's brother joined us also.
That evening, Katherine, not very old herself, helped me put together a quick pancake and bacon dinner, with fruit and orange juice. We set the table w/dishes, pretty napkins, though nothing fancy, and everything we needed to make our breakfast dinner yummy.
As it turned out, nine of us sat around the table, and enjoyed a fun evening together. I really think our young friends felt they were treated special that evening. You'd have thought from listening to them talk that they'd been invited to a fancy meal. One of the girls commented how pretty the table was, and followed up her compliment with, "My family never sits at the table, and we don't use dishes. We use paper plates." That seemed sad to me, though I understood how brief the amount of time people truly spend together sharing a meal, especially when mothers and fathers work and in this case, the sister and brother didn't have a father in the home.
I prayed when those children left that evening, that they'd feel full and loved with what we had to offer them, but most importantly that they'd one day realize the Lord desired fellowship with them, He from whom love and the fullness of life flows.
I've watched two of those young children grow up, and the other move away, and I am oft reminded when I see or think of them, or of that day, to pray for them. I hug them as oft as I am able, and I pray the Lord will love them and draw them to Himself, by allowing them to cross paths with others who will love them and welcome them as Jesus would.
I have never been one for trying to make things extravagant in order to impress those we invite into our home. Though I admit, I do enjoy collecting dishes and linens. I learned to enjoy dishes because of my dear grandmothers, our mothers, and aunts who have taught me how to love and serve others.
The most special gatherings in our home has been with friends, near and far, who have come, sometimes surprising us with their fellowship and time.
There's nothing like trusting the LORD to multiply 'the loaves and fish' when there's not much to prepare, but pizza? There's always special times to be had when friends will stay for ordering pizza and churning some ice cream! Whether you have a spread of food or not, you realize real quick how much of a blessing it is to be loved by those who enjoy being together. The Lord can take our family a long way on that kind of sincere love and fellowship!!
Thank you, Father, for a home we can spread out in, in which we can enjoy welcoming friends.
I pray my children will always remember as fondly as I do having a home with doors that swing open wide, and where we can spontaneously welcome and love others!
"After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him.
9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed."
Acts 28:1-10, ESV
I have never been one for trying to make things extravagant in order to impress those we invite into our home. Though I admit, I do enjoy collecting dishes and linens. I learned to enjoy dishes because of my dear grandmothers, our mothers, and aunts who have taught me how to love and serve others.
The most special gatherings in our home has been with friends, near and far, who have come, sometimes surprising us with their fellowship and time.
There's nothing like trusting the LORD to multiply 'the loaves and fish' when there's not much to prepare, but pizza? There's always special times to be had when friends will stay for ordering pizza and churning some ice cream! Whether you have a spread of food or not, you realize real quick how much of a blessing it is to be loved by those who enjoy being together. The Lord can take our family a long way on that kind of sincere love and fellowship!!
Thank you, Father, for a home we can spread out in, in which we can enjoy welcoming friends.
I pray my children will always remember as fondly as I do having a home with doors that swing open wide, and where we can spontaneously welcome and love others!
"After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him.
9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed."
Acts 28:1-10, ESV
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