This morning, I happened upon words written online about my husband. Sarah’s words took me by surprise and made me a little weepy. The fact that she was able to see the heart of my God-fearing, people-loving, most-generous-person-I’ve-ever-known man is pretty awesome. She expressed the exact intent of our home and our barn and our life.

We desire to be a family that welcomes others in. We desire to use this space God has given us to build community and foster relationships. We desire to open our hands and loosen our grip on the things of this world. We desire meals shared with others and hearts shared as plates are emptied.

Please know, this opening of our home and our life isn’t pretty or perfect. Just yesterday, friends came over after church and I had to push laundry aside to find room on the counter for our glasses. The paint on the kitchen cabinets has chipped and the floors are scratched, but my friends didn’t come here to judge my home and their kids didn’t come here to judge the toy offerings. No, they came here to take a pause on a Sunday afternoon.

While kids ran and explored and exercised vivid imaginations, we talked and laughed and lamented over the fleeting nature of this season of life. The kids will grow and leave our homes. As one of my dearest friends is walking these last years under her roof with her oldest before he ventures out into the world on his own, I am reminded just how precious these days are. And, how easily we can isolate ourselves and justify waiting to invite others in until there is more time in our schedule or until the house is immaculate or until the new dishes are purchased or until the baby is out of diapers or… there are a million reasons why we can put off community and fellowship.

Sarah’s words are a beautiful reminder of why we shouldn’t. We should stop waiting and we should start extending invitations. Even if it’s uncomfortable and imperfect. Especially then.

Thank you for sharing these words, Sarah. I love being your neighbor.

*********************************************************************

Take a moment and read Sarah’s beautifully expressed thoughts on fellowship…

“If you build it, they will come.” 

My neighbor just happens to be a builder and he recently crafted a dining room table….that seats about a hundred. It’s probably closer to 10 or 12, but the point is he built a table that was much bigger than he needed.

At first I thought….
“Oh Dave. You have a family of 6. Why do you need such a big table?”

And then it dawned on me….the pool in the backyard, the 30 acres, the berry farm and barn, the gigantic table…..

Dave is a “If you build it, they will come” kind of guy.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” -Acts 2:42

Why does Dave need a big table?
Because he believes in fellowship. If he builds a table for 12 he can invite 6 people over for supper.

Why did Dave transform his berry barn into a dreamy event location?
Because he believes in fellowship. If he spruces up the barn, he can invite those without a church home to come and worship with him. He can host weddings and parties and celebrations of every kind. He can give kids a place to run around together like free range chickens.

Why did Dave plant the berry fields?
Because he believes in fellowship. In families picking berries together and making memories.

And what comes from all this fellowship?
Relationships.
Stronger relationships with others.
Stronger relationships with God and Jesus.

I have read so many articles recently about the importance of relationships between and among believers. The bonding of souls and hearts. The sharing of joys and sorrows.

Remember, Christian relationships aren’t just something you build based off of one hour on Sunday. These relationships can and should be built anywhere and everywhere. At a back-yard pool party, at a blueberry farm, or gathered around a table for 100.

Now, Dave is thinking big. He wants to fill 6 extra places at the table. However, we may not all feel that comfortable, but ask yourself this…..

“How many empty places are at my table?”

I have one extra spot…..and I’m not very good about keeping it filled. But….we’ve got several extra spots around the fire pit….and my husband keeps those seats filled to overflowing.

I’m asking you all to build those giant tables…the ones that exceed your household….the ones that will encourage you to invite company. And once they’ve come…fellowship…. and build those strong relationships.