Claiming Hole-iness – Abide in the Vine
This summer “look back,” former procrastinators, reminds us that His life is what makes us and our homes beautiful. If we abide in the Vine, He abides in our homes.
Ladies who procrastinate sometimes are reluctant to have people in their homes. (True, some procrastinators would quickly open the door to others because they’re putting off something else!) If our struggle is wanting a House Beautiful/Pottery Barn home where we can welcome others, we should take note of the story my dear friend shared with me.
Preparing to host her church ladies group, she stared at the holes in the living room curtains, dismayed because she knew she could not replace them. She decided that at least she could freshen them up. So, she washed and ironed the curtains and hung them back up. She didn’t apologize or say anything about them. The event came and went.
Weeks later, the group met in another home. As my friend was leaving, she complimented the young woman who had hosted their group. The young lady responded, “Oh, you are the reason I hosted today! When we went to your house and I saw the holes in your curtains, I thought, “If she can have us here with holes in her curtains, I can have people over to our house too!”
Even our “hole-iness” ministers. Praise God! There’s no reason to hold back on reaching out to others because of my flaws or the “flaws” in my home. That’s when Jesus moves. And what He does is way better than what I do! How delightful that a young woman lacking confidence steps out and welcomes people into her “imperfect” home because another follower of Christ did the same thing!
Why do we delay being hospitable? Is it the holes in the couch? Is it the “hole” where I want to place two new chairs? Is it the holes in my cooking ability?
What makes a house beautiful anyway? Isn’t it the beauty of the Lord? It’s the Holy Spirit who dwells within each person who lives there. Through us, He welcomes and nourishes the souls who spend time in our homes. He is the One who makes each of us and that time beautiful.
My friend had hoped the ladies would be ministered to in spite of the holes in her curtains. Instead, they were ministered to because of them.
What holes in you or your house can you commit to the Lord for His use?
