This is day 5 in a 31 day series on hospitality. Some seasons are not for hospitality but even then, He’s making us ready. Click here for the rest of the series. Thanks for coming along the journey. I’m glad you’re here.
When my house burned to the ground in December of 2010, I found myself in desperate need of someone to show hospitality to me.
I needed somewhere to sleep and I needed someone to find clothes for me to wear.
I needed someone to listen to my gut wrenching cries and tell me that light would shine again.
I had nothing to give. All I could do was sob.
Some seasons are like winter in your heart.
It’s during those times that you learn how to live in the skin of someone in need.
It’s then that you learn to cling to the only Hope there is.
Don’t despise the winter grace.
It’s then that you learn the blessedness of poverty and despair.
When someone else feeds your hungry soul, you learn to recognize those who starve.
God is leading you through this deep and wretched valley to make you blessed.
And when He brings you out again, you will see your brother with new eyes.
Your suffering will have made you perfectly fit to pour out your life for others.
Every time I hear this song, I think of my dear friends who live everyday in heartache.
This life is a veil of tears but Christ will raise us up and the Light will shine again.
I just checked my reader looking for today’s 31 Days from you. 🙂
I’ve been reading your blog since your fire. I think The Nester shared your story on her blog. Before your post today, I had not put it together just how much hospitality is near and dear to your heart. I should have figured that out; it seems so obvious! But I just loved all of your other posts about making a home (from pretty things and yummy food and good books), that it escaped my thinking that you really do know how it is to feel homeless and in need of a shelter.
I should have said that I mean that in the best way possible … that you’ve rebuilt with optimism and not a “poor me, we had a fire,” attitude. I just focused on your positives because you were too. 😀 I hope that clarifies my first comment! I love your genuine writing … you inspire!
Very nice. xo
This is a really good one Edie. So true. So simple. So counter-intuitive. So Christian.
Laura’s comment was dead on. Here I sit, tears streaming down my face. I needed to read this today. It was just a beautiful post.
Thank you……………………(as always)
Ter’e
This one made brought tears to my eyes. I think the hardest thing is maybe having winter in my heart and still have my home be safe and intact. Winter can be so many things and often times can be a season in the family. Beautiful post.
“Don’t despise the winter grace.” What a beautiful picture. I needed this reminder today.
Oh Edie, there is so much Truth in this post. You say it beautifully my friend. xoxo
Edie, today’s post reminds me of something I have thought of often when reading your beauiful blog. I became a follower since you lost your home in 2010. I often think about how many of us have been blessed by God as a result of your loss. Without that day, many of us may not have ever found you from others who wanted to share your story. Since then you have inspired me spiritually, intellectually ( I will be done with the Odyessy this weekend!) and emotionally! Thank you for YOUR hospitality that you share every day on your blog sweet friend!
“It’s then that you learn the blessedness of poverty and despair.”
What a grueling lesson. What a rewarding lesson. God bless!
“Your suffering will have made you perfectly fit to pour out your life for others.”
I’ve been getting in touch for the past few years with part of my story that is so full of hurt. I’m seeing now, more than ever, that my life did not begin or end with the hardest part of my story. Boy, have I been deceived by the evil one. God has the final word in my story. And, isn’t it such lavish grace that he uses the ugliest, crummiest, hardest, most hurtful and harmful parts to allow us to truly know him…the way Paul talks about in Philippians.
I recently gave birth to a full-term stillborn daughter. I am in the midst of my winter grace. Looking forward to when my suffering will ease and I’ll be able to better serve my brothers and sisters. Thank you for writing this.