What’s Your Dream

Did you have a dream growing up? Maybe it changed as you entered adulthood? Mine did. When I was pregnant with my daughter, twenty years ago, my husband and I took one last little weekend trip before she was born and we entered into being parents of two children. So, with my son staying with my parents, we drove the three and a half hours north to a well-known town but we chose to stay at a little Bed and Breakfast that wasn’t so well known.

It had such charm and hominess to it that I was instantly hooked! The main house had about five rooms including that of the owners. It welcomed visitors through the front door into a large living room. Deep comfortable couches and oversized chairs were gathered around an old wooden coffee table that held magazines and some booklets on local attractions. Off the back side of the room was a large book case filled with all sorts of books for guests to peruse and read at their leisure.

The kitchen held a large table that all the temporary housemates gathered for breakfast. This consisted of scrambled eggs, hash browns with onions and peppers, muffins, fruit, sausage, pastries and alike. The atmosphere was warm and delightful. The property was serine. One could walk the grounds or sit on the back porch and relax. My husband and I stayed in a special feature this particular B and B offered. They had turned an outbuilding into a little bedroom cottage complete with hot tub. Oh my the room was so special. Lace curtains, fluffy towels, and down-filled comforters. Plush pillows and a handmade Afghan placed thoughtfully on the bed made you want to snag the blanket and take it to the cozy chair tucked in the corner of the room and read by the old fashion oil lamp replica placed on the little table beside it.

Oh, how my heart still longs to be in that place. I knew then that I wanted to someday own and share a quaint Bed and Breakfast like that one someday. My heart longs for hospitality and extending that welcome inviting feeling to others. It is in fact my happy place. But then… why do I have to wait to extend that kind of hospitality until then? I can open my door on a smaller scale and offer that same welcoming inviting feeling to anyone who enters my home!

1 Timothy 5:10 “and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted and has devoted herself to every good work.” (ESV)

These words tell me that my whole life should reflect hospitality. Just making someone feel loved and welcomed in my home or even just in my presents should be my priority. Jesus Himself stressed the importance of this commandment… loving others as yourself. This is how we show others the love of Christ! I plan to make a file on various ways to extend hospitality in both smaller and grander ways. I will share some thoughts and tips in my next article. Think about what your dream is and how you can use it for God’s honor and glory.