Happy, Healthy and Hospitable

Hello,

I wanted to share with you how quickly life can change, and this time it has been for the better.

I have experienced a wonderful time with my children and have thoroughly enjoyed being with them and have also enjoyed that they have been getting along better with one another.

God knows just when I need encouragement and lately I've been feeling I'm at the end of my rope at times and he has been carrying me when I just couldn't even get up and muddle through.

I am feeling so blessed to have this bit of sunshine in the midst of what has been a difficult period of time in my life.  I am not sure how long it will last and I understand that some of the issues that I am facing as a mom have not changed, but I am thankful for this time of peacefulness and God's comfort and the blessing of really enjoying my children.

My daughter was home for spring break and now my son is home on his spring break.  The sounds of laughter and happy chatting has replaced arguing and other unwelcome behavior.

I have seen the doctor for some persistent headaches.  I was getting pretty painful headaches every day.  They have lessened in their intensity and frequency and for that I am thankful.

I have a funny story to share with you.  First I will preface this by saying that I STRUGGLE WITH BEING HOSPITABLE...especially when I am talking about inviting people over to break bread with us (enjoy a meal).

I have always felt inadequate to host company here because I know how crazy and loud our family can be, how ill-equipped I feel as a cook, how small our house is in some ways for a family of our size, nevermind inviting more people over to add to the mix, etc.  The list could go on and on. (excuses, excuses)

I'm not sure if you remember or not but recently God has been placing on my heart the need to be more hospitable and I read that book Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others .

I have shared a lot of what I learned with my husband, who is always supportive of most everything that I share with him.

I had read the book last month and still have not scheduled anyone to come and share a meal with us.  My husband was just saying a couple nights ago...why haven't we invited anyone over yet for a meal?  I told him that I would soon...well....

We had an appointment with our life insurance agent scheduled for 7:00 Monday night.  We have not seen our agent for about 20 years.  She ended up showing up at our house over 1 1/2 hours early (before my husband was even home from work) and stated that she was going to just sit in her car in our driveway and "work" from her car.  (side note--we live in New England--very cold outside) She told me over her cell phone not to worry about her being out there and to just eat and do what we needed to do to settle the family before she came in.

I told her to please come in and share a meal with us.  I had actually made a crock of beef vegetable soup and had a couple loaves of country Italian bread.

It hit me so funny that I have been putting off, probably out of fear and worried about stretching my comfort zone, inviting someone over here and God would not have any more of my procrastination.  He forced the issue by placing someone in my driveway with no place to go but in our home and at our table.

We ended up having a wonderful time.  She shared with us that she has recently become a Christian.  She was on fire for the Lord.  It is wonderful being around a "new" Christian.  She shared with us how the Lord has allowed her to leave some things in her life behind that were huge trials for her before she became a Christian.   What a blessing for the Lord to give you the strength and peace to overcome.    

I am so thankful that the Lord brought her into our lives and our home.  The door has been opened here and I am looking forward to many more meals with friends/strangers.  

Blessings to you, my friends and thank you for the thoughts and prayers...