Phase 2 of The House Behind The Trees ~ The downstairs #TeelsBuildaHouse

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So we are starting the downstairs ... I HATE to say basement because we had a basement in our old home, where you opened a door and went down stairs separated from anything else. It was a finished basement complete with a bedroom, craft room, family/game room and we spent a lot of time there ~ our oldest son moved down there in jr high and stayed through high school ... until we finished the master suite in the attic then he moved back up to the bedroom floor with his brother and sister.  So here our downstairs is open to the rest of the house, you can see through to the outside from the top of the stairs going down because we have a wall of windows down there as well.  We really didn't plan to have a kiddo down there but since we are having to do a switch-a-roo with rooms (I'll explain later) he is moving home soon and will be downstairs. Anyhoo, our downstairs will house our main family room, our middle sons room, a full bath and kitchenette.  I thought it would be fun ...
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Dirty Kitchen????

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"Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: … whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 4:9-10,11

After traveling for hours or simply across town, you arrive for dinner. Your host, whether it be family or friends, has a meal and/or snacks prepared for when you arrive, then dinner, and possibly breakfast if you are staying then repeat the pattern as long as you are.

We start to worry that the kitchen may be too crowded, that the appliances are old and worn, the dishes are piled high in the sink from the food preparation ...... but does the atmosphere feel like "home"? Does that prepared food from the sink full of dishes scream "EAT ME"!

There have been times I’ve worried more about my kitchen than how I could serve others. I’ve fret over the size and messiness but I have to stop and think .... am I really so concerned about the dirty pots in my sink that I would miss out on the family game being played in the next room? I don't want to be busy cleaning up the mess that I don't get to enjoy the very people I invited over for food, fun and fellowship! What kind of example would I be setting? My example has nothing to do with a spotless kitchen, in fact, with the kitchen a mess it creates a blessing for all to see, a blessing that God provided.

I want my service to be like Peter in the key verse, grounded "by the strength that God supplies." I want to long for people to know Jesus more than I long for the perfect kitchen.

God cares more about what’s happening among the people in our kitchen than He cares about the state of it. I want to share God’s love, demonstrate His character and offer hospitality even in the midst of dirty dishes.

Dear Lord, show me ways to serve through the resources You’ve given me. Help me care more about people than things like dirty dishes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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