andy & brenda's

our kids had spring break last week. we travel for easter every year and this time around we left for pittsburgh earlier so we could stop in richmond to spend some time with peter's uncle, have dinner with a couple of his cousins, and spend a good chunk of a day at busch gardens.

i've started keeping little note cards with me so i can write down writing prompts that pop to mind at random times. while we were in richmond i simply wrote down: andy & brenda's house. 

because despite the fact that our aunt brenda is with Jesus, andy & brenda's house will always be andy & brenda's house.

it will always be a place that feeds the hungry, gives drink to the thirsty, houses the weary, and whose walls are infused with the love of Jesus. 

their generosity has always astounded me, and their house has always been a place that brings comfort. i've gathered around their dining room table more times than i even remember over the years, and what always comes through is this: "you are loved."

we see you. 

we're glad you're here. 

you 

are 

loved.

we are called to be the light of Christ to a hurting and broken world. {and i know i don't need to belabor the fact that we live in a hurting and broken world. we all know that. we all see it, day in and day out.} we are called to shine like stars in the universe. we are called to point to something bigger and something more by working for the Lord and not for men. 

what would it look like if our homes all felt like andy & brenda's? if we opened our hands and were radically generous with the gifts we've been given? what would it look like if we opened our doors to welcome the weary and weak? to feed the hungry? and to let the light shine in the world?

what prevents this from happening? what are we afraid to lose? 

and if we lost it, would it matter eternally?

xoxo