Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Haven * autumn nesting delights

Our homes are meant to be welcoming havens,
not secured fortresses.
 
These scuffed doors are just begging to be opened wide,
not bolted shut.
 
Those tables are designed be generously shared,
not surfaces to display a lonesome centerpiece.

 
 
 
We were created to do life in the company of others.  There is that deep cry of the heart to live in community, to be fully present to those God brings onto our pathways, to open our doors to fellow sojourners in need of safe harbor.  This simple offering of ourselves, our bread, and a resting place is a most sacred calling.

And the beauty of it all is that there's not one right way to live this out. 

We've each got our own quirky personality, special giftedness, unique life story, and housing situation.  The practical hands-on application of living out this call to hospitality will sparkle and shine with our own individual imprint. 
 
We've been hoodwinked along the way by the glossy magazine spreads and the way-too-perfect Pinterest pins.  We have gullibly bought the lie that our homes must be immaculate and decorated 'just so' before we put the welcome mat out.  But that's simply not biblical.  We are called, dare I say, commanded, to open our hearts to the worn and weary. 
 
1 Peter 4:9 tells us to 'cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.'  Other translations include the clear warning to do so without grumbling.
 
And that joy, my friend, is the secret. 
 
Simply put, God absolutely loves when we grab hold of these cheerful giving opportunities.  The offering of a safe haven to another soul is a gift back to Him, the overflowing of a grateful heart that has experienced grace and blessing.  Even, and especially, when it's been a long week or we don't have much more than a can of soup in the cupboard.  Or when there's dust on every surface and piles are strewn from here to there.




That's when His grace kicks in and His power is displayed.  Because it's all about Him and not about us.

The truth is this ... 
 
Somebody, somewhere, needs something that only you can offer.
 
And He, the Multiplier of the most ordinary of loaves and fish, is able to take our feeble offerings and turn them into priceless, life-altering, abundant gifts for a weary heart that needed the listening ear and the prayerful companionship that only you could give.
 
Because when all is said and done, the roof over our heads and the bread on our tables are not ours.
 
They're His.


 
 
    
* * * GIVEAWAY UPDATE! * * *

Every comment you're leaving during this autumn nesting delights house party puts you in the running for one of the two giveaways of Myquillyn Smith's book, THE NESTING PLACE.

And like any decent party, there's going to be a goodie bag waiting for EVERYONE
who's joined in the discussion along the way!

There's still plenty of room at the table for YOU to join in the discussion!  The giveaway ends Friday, October 24th at noon {eastern. US only, please.}  Here's the details of the giveaway and links to all the posts.

*

sharing life with Holley

22 comments:

  1. I'd much rather be in a house that looks lived in than one which looks as though it is straight out of a magazine or Pinterest pin in order to impress. I'd say you had some grandchildren around recently.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I walked around with a camera about a year and a half ago, Bill, wanting to capture a few shots of the joyful, messy, craziness of a house filled to overflowing with people. It was good for me to capture those glimpses in time.

      It seems that those who are most likely to open their doors are families who are busy with the dailyness of life ... but never too busy to throw an extra plate or two on the table, hand you a baby, or ask you to stir the pot of soup.

      This gracious ease says 'jump right on in ... you are welcome here!'

      I love that.

      Delete
  2. Guests are always welcome in my "come on in and mind the cat hair" home. With my crazy work/travel schedule, though, I am not always home to welcome folks. I try to welcome folks in my email and my cell phone and and Facebook and most especially my heart. There are creative ways to do this and I'm thrilled whenever God reveals another way to me.

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    1. Yes, let's be creative! Many of us were raised with the idea that hospitality = entertaining ... the good china, the tea service, the family heirloom silver, the whole nine yards.

      Nothing could be further from the truth. I love how you talk about using social media to welcome people into your life, Debby. The fact is we can create a welcoming community right where we are.

      Love it! And so appreciate you being a part of this little community right here!

      ;-}

      Delete
  3. Somebody, somewhere, needs something that only you can offer. <--- so so so true! Often I just vent out on my blog and be surprised by comments and emails I receive about how my it made a difference in their day and made an impact in their lives.

    Keep sharing what you've got to the world. :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Let's hear it for online communities that are welcoming, encouraging, and supportive! I'm so resonating with you, SuperLux. And please know I'm so happy that you've come by again this week!

      ;-}

      ;-}

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  4. Ah, yes! I need this reminder from time to time, Linda. I can get a little wacko when it comes to how my house looks for guests, when I should be worrying more about the generosity and state of my heart. Oh, and seeing your family room once again, brings back some sweet memories when you and Tim opened your doors for some weary travelers! Thanks again for having such a generous heart, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mmm ... talk about entertaining angels without even realizing it!!!

      What a special occasion that was.

      Dear reader, if you missed the story, here it is -
      http://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2014/05/in-company-of-friends-synchroblog.html

      Delete
  5. Thanks so much for this post Linda. In the past I have been overly obsessed with making sure things in my home are perfectly laid out. With a brand new baby in the house, perfection quickly went out the door. I was feeling a little down on myself for not having things picture perfect during this time, but your words really helped me to focus on what's truly important.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's nothing like a little one or two to help us realize that perfection doesn't fit! Looking back, it seems like our doors were open wider and more often when our house was small and our children were little ...

      May your lovely bungalow be the setting for the most encouraging of gatherings, my friend. And, as always, I'm glad you're doing community here with us!

      Delete
  6. Thank you for such a beautiful reminder. Sometimes we forget that hospitality is not about having a perfect home, but offering the best of what we've got to others :)

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    1. You're so right, Yuko! Even if our best is a bit messy and imperfect and not 'just so.'

      Blessings to you ...

      Delete
  7. I love what my friends tell me, "Your home is so homey!" What higher compliment. Praying my community grows and I might share with my new hometown the hospitality of my sweet home.

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    1. I love the way you're growing more in love with your new community, Lulu ... it sure sounds like God has placed you in the perfect place ... for you, for your neighbors.

      Blessings as you continue sharing His love there!

      Delete
  8. I like that-cheerfully share! :)
    This is definitely something I need to work on. My house is never perfect and because of that I don't have people over enough.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Sigh. I hear you, Sarah. And if we wait til our places are perfect to have people in, it ain't gonna happen. Ever.

      And everyone loses out.

      Be encouraged, friend! You are a blessing here ... and there, too!

      Delete
  9. Hi Linda! I am always happy to read about the unimportance of perfection. I so agree. Mess is life, and I've always thought that way. Houses that are 'too perfect' just make me nervous. Too buttoned up for my taste!
    Let life flow, let laughter and fun reign! The vacuum will always be there, but my friends and family may not.
    Weekend blessing my friend,
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
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    1. 'The vacuum will always be there, but my friends and family may not.'

      Everybody repeat Ceil's pearls of wisdom 3x! Now ... let's go and live it out!

      I'm grateful for this benediction, friend ...

      8-}

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  10. I so needed to read this. I love community, Linda. I would love to open our doors more to others. Finding more of a balance between online community and in-real life community has really been on my heart lately. Which is partly why I've decided to lower my expectations with my blog. The less of a schedule writing is suiting me well. Now it's time for me to get over myself and stop thinking my home needs to be perfect before opening up the doors. Shauna Niequist's book really spoke to me on this too. I need to stop talking and doing. Thank you for the inspiration, friend. Love you much. xoxo

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    1. You've hit the nail on the head, Beth. I think it's SO easy to spend way more time online than with our real life peoples. And when all is said and done, this is something that we'll regret.

      And getting over ourselves is a big need for most of us.

      You've inspired me with your visit, your wisdom today, Beth.

      8-}

      Have a great weekend ...

      Delete
  11. Well said. I know in America, hospitality is not practiced as often as it used to be, let alone how it used to be. Perhaps its something people need more tutelage on?

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    1. And maybe we're just so busy that this lifegiving lifestyle has taken a back seat ...

      Sigh.

      We can change this. One at a time. In the ways that seem most natural and comfortable for us ...

      I'm glad you're here, Leigh. Truly!

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Welcome to the table, friend!

This is where we gather and hang out. I'd love for you to pull up a chair and jump right into the conversation. Or simply say 'hello.'

l'll be dropping in to visit you sometime soon ...

Linda

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