Life is full of small pleasures. It's what we do with them that counts. If I could only capture some of the special moments in life and keep them in a bottle, to open up and savor again later in life.... hmmmm.... wouldn't that be nice?
Last night we celebrated Alex's birthday, so Dale and Amber joined us after dinner (cuz there's no way 10 of us could eat around that table in that little corner!) and had so much fun celebrating! haha..... life is a grand adventure......and God is good!
My mom and my aunt gave me a gift many years ago that I still treasure to this day. The gift of hospitality. Both of these amazing women in my life, demonstrated for me from a very young age the joys that come with having people into one's home. As far back as I can remember my mom enjoyed hosting people for meals, desserts and special times together. One of the best things she taught me was to think through your acquaintances and figure out who would mix well with whom and invite them over together to introduce them. I have done this countless times over the years.... and most of the time God has used these meetings to initiate long lasting friendships.... (the only downside is that sometimes those friendships grow more than your own relationship with those people and leave you feeling a bit left out, but in the long run I know that God has put those people together and am happy that He used me to introduce a new friendship). My aunt taught me the joy of baking and also of creating a welcoming environment for my guests. I spent many summers at their home in the Okanagan watching, learning and helping her as she hosted countless people through her home, providing a place for fellowship and the start of many new friendships.
When we moved here and found out how small the house is that we would be renting, I was quite saddened that it looked like my days of hostessing people may have to be put on hold! Little did I know that God doesn't care how big a space you have, when your gift is to host people, they'll show up regardless and everyone will have a great time no matter how squishy we all are!!!
Over the past several months we have been having a special 'Monday night dinner' at our house. We have invited four of the girls' and our friends over to join us every Monday. We all sit around the table (or should I say squish around the table) and have such an amazing time together. We eat, we laugh, we talk, we laugh some more, we eat some more, and we debate whose turn it is to do the dishes. We would love to have twice as many, but it's important to us that we eat around the table and enjoy the visiting that comes from that, so for now it's 8 (until Danae gets back from school, then we will have to all think small and sit a little closer!). It is such a blessing. We all can't wait for Monday to roll around each week!
Last night we celebrated Alex's birthday, so Dale and Amber joined us after dinner (cuz there's no way 10 of us could eat around that table in that little corner!) and had so much fun celebrating! haha..... life is a grand adventure......and God is good!
Comments