The topic of today’s devotional is very close to my heart. When I was growing up, my home (seemingly) always had at least one guest in it. While my parents’ home was small and they were not wealthy, they loved people and people loved visiting. As I grew up and our family got busier, visitors were less frequent but never absent. My parents still include others in almost every family celebration or holiday. When I lived in China my closest friends opened their home to anyone and everyone every Monday. Their love with a family style meal impacted many in our city.

“Brave people recognize that they can use their home to love others with the love of Christ. Brave people are generous with their homes. Brave people share—even their sanctuaries—with others. Whether that looks like letting people live with you or letting people come over for dinner, you’ve got this!” Annie F. Downs, 100 Days To Brave

Loving others with our homes takes sacrifice and courage. It’s easy to retreat behind a closed door and convince ourselves we don’t need to share that part of lives. But what if we didn’t consider it ‘ours’ but instead thought of it as one of those gifts from God we talked about the other day, one of those gifts we get to share.

As a child growing up in a home that often had visitors, I learned that people are different and all are loved. I learned that grown-ups can be lonely. I learned forgiveness can be asked for and grace can be given. I learned that meals seem to miraculously stretch as far as they need to. I learned that serving others brings joy. I learned that not all homes are happy or safe places. I learned that the smallest things can seem huge to others. I learned that you’re never too young to show love. I learned that scary looking people can be the gentlest and laugh the best. I learned that people who are being loved don’t mind if the cups don’t match or the plates are chipped.

Does inviting someone into your home for dinner seem daunting? Can you pinpoint why? Are you willing to ask God to help you be brave with your home?

PS You can read the story of my friends’ Monday Night Suppers by clicking the link on the homepage ‘The story behind ‘Empty Chairs’.’