I love our little house. Recently I was convicted of wanting a bigger house, a neater house, a cleaner house. I was hearing comments that were lies- that my house wasn't enough. That the mess was too much. And that the noise was chaotic. The message was: get in control! And that message made anxious feelings try to surface so I stepped back and opened my eyes to the Truth.
We recently had a group of around fifteen grade 7 and 8 teenagers over for an event. I couldn't believe how quickly those bodies filled the space! I came home after they had arrived from a massage- with greasy hair and rings around my face from the massage bed. The garage was overflowing with BMX and other bikes (not surprising since it tends to be full with just our family's). The front lawn had backpacks and oddly mowed patches (the kids wanted to use our "cool" reel mowers- and who can refuse someone who wants to mow!). The lawn that wasn't in odd patches was bushy and in need of a mow- which was how the whole backyard was. But as I went into the backyard, it wasn't the shaggy lawn and weeds that I saw, but teenagers- having fun. They were relaxing on the deck drinking iced tea, jumping on the trampoline, trying to play bocci in the jungle and having fun being together. I saw a group of teens that we got to love on that day.
And as I sat down that evening, I text-ed my sister about my thoughts. The text went something like this:
This is life. Let love fill our homes, over flowing into the yard and down the street (I can learn from the dandelions- they flower and let their seeds go and cover ground pretty quickly!). May the chaos of kids become beautiful music. May the unordered and rough housing become like the way Jesus dances over and around us. May memories be built. May freedom and acceptance flood out control and differences. May our families extend to those around us. May we live a life were praises and hallelujahs seep into our every moment. May I stop judging, trying to control and look like I have it together. Jesus is more than enough. His love covers us, His Holy Spirit frees us and He moves us to love on others. And may our eyes be focused on the unseen as His glory fills us and His mercy washes away sins. May we live life together with other people, who like us, are broken people who fall at the feet of Jesus to become whole A new people. A freed community of people connected and cared for. Freedom is given so we are not bound to/by the sins of the past. My house isn't very big according to North American standards, but it is a treasure to have a home. And it is a gift to have our four children grow up in our home with us. Summer holidays are coming and soon our house will be filled with noises and bodies as we come and go and invite friends in to join us.
So go- walk in light loving those around you as Jesus has called us. Living in our little homes that are exploding with God's richest blessings. We are loved by the One who is love. Invite others in. Live in community. And bless as you are blessed.
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