Guests: Unwelcome, Welcome and Missed..

This week at our home we have had a few guests. Some of them welcome and some of them unwelcome. I don't want to sound callous, but I just couldn't let a certain group of them past the front door. Though everytime I opened the door, I feared they might join us in our humble abode.

So who are these guests? Those welcomed and unwelcomed...here is the story. The unwelcomed guests were a couple of birds that made themselves at home in my dried flower wreath on the front door. Last year they came and availed themselves to parts of my artificial wreath for a nest, this year they decided to go one step further. I don't mind providing the material for their home, but I can't have them living on my front door for lots of reasons (health, safety cheif among them).

With Carson fearful of the birds loss, Troy reluctantly removed the wreath last night and transplanted the nest on a nearby (albeit scrawny) tree in our yard. I heard birds quite unhappy this morning as they found that the wreath was gone. Troy did say the nest was empty, so I didn't feel as bad since there were no eggs. He said we would have dealt with it on the door had the nest held eggs. That is the story of the unwelcomed guests.

My welcome guests are my sister and her two youngest daughters. Her husband and oldest daughter are back in Munster because of a conflicting spring break schedule. I am so glad to have them here. Our fun was to be increased by the addition of my twin brother's children arriving today, but they are at best delayed until Saturday and possibly not coming at all because of a terrible bout with vomit that required hopsitalization. No fun. We are hopeful they might still make it, but we understand if they don't. They will be missed.

I love to have guests. Something my mother always enjoyed as well. Not too mention that it is a spiritual gift of hospitality. God gives some great gifts. I love Him for that (and so much more).

Cooking, Cleaning, Company Came!

Long time, no blog. Once again I find myself apologizing (mostly to my sister who checks my blog several times a day) for not writing sooner. But, you can ask my sister, I have a good reason for not blogging.

I've actually been cooking, cleaning and entertaining house guests during my time away from the blog. My house guests were my sister, two of her daughters and my sister's friend and three of her children. Preparing for our guests was actually a lot of fun. Who knew keeping house could be so fulfilling. Troy saw me washing dishes at 10pm on Wednesday before my sister arrived and noted that perhaps we should have house guests more often. Or at least pretend to have guests so I would be inspired.

It got me to thinking (this is dangerous). When I was concerned about the state of my home, I prepared for my guests. I wanted to make it "presentable". I wanted it to be "comfortable". I wanted it to be 'welcoming". I had taken pains to make sure I had food in my home, to make sure I left special amenities for them.

What kind of preparations do I make for Jesus? Every day at every meal, my family and I pray "Come Lord Jesus be our guest, and let Thy gifts to us be blessed. " Jesus is not only a guest at my kitchen or dining room table, but a resident of my heart. How am I making Him feel welcome, comfortable, making my heart presentable? Of course, His presence in my heart makes me presentable to God, but what about the things I have welcomed into my home or heart? Do they leave room for Jesus? Do they push Him to the side? His place is to be first.

I need to evaluate what I give priority. Am I filling my heart with His Word? Am I inviting Him into my day through prayer? Am I turning over my cares? Am I casting my anxieties on Him for He cares for me?

Preparing for guests is an important and exciting challenge. I must not neglect the most important guest I invite every day to join me at my table: Jesus.

P.S. Sad note, my sink does have some dishes in it, but have started work on the towels and sheets used by my guests. Most of the dishes are from this weekend not from my guests. Carson has today and tomorrow off from school, so we have taken the day easy.