My New Little Toy

I received an unexpected sum of money this week, and was able to make a purchase I've been contemplating for a while now. I bought an MP3 player and have spent the evening loading all my favorite music cds on to it. I am expecting some new cds to arrive any day now and can hardly wait to add them to the collection. Music really has an impact on me, and so I'm thankful that I can now carry the music of Sovereign Grace, Steven Curtis Chapman, Tenth Avenue North, Chris Tomlin, Caedmon's Call, Casting Crowns, Peter Furler, Starfield, and an old favorite, Wayne Watson -- in my pocket! :-)

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Thoughts about Hospitality

Hospitality, at its heart, is reaching out and welcoming people into your life. That can be done in so many ways, and at many different times. We have had times where we invited another family over and all sat down to dinner together. I usually make something simple that feeds a lot of people for little money, like a crockpot of chili or soup, or a tray of chicken baked in the oven with bread and salad. Or if we have guests after church, we will run by Little Ceasar's and get some of their $5 pizzas.

But other times, I've had a friend stop by for an hour in the middle of the afternoon and served nothing but a glass of cold water. We were freed to just talk and pray briefly without the work of serving a meal or cleaning up afterward.

One great thing about having people over so much is that it has moved me past feeling like each meal has to be a big production. Some of our sweetest times of hospitality have been when someone came by that we didn't expect and we foraged the leftovers together, or threw together some grilled cheese sandwiches. People are not coming to see how a gourmet meal is prepared and served. They are coming to be loved by you, and you can do that by just offering whatever you have, though it is simple.

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Hands

I have never really cared for the way my hands look. Age and years of washing things, (children, dishes, etc.) hasn't helped my hands look younger or...um, less used. But I have to say that I am extremely thankful that God gave me able hands. They have served me well for 46 years now, and I am thankful for all the meaningful labor that those worn hands have now had the privilege of doing. A couple of days ago, my photographer daughter took some photos for one of her classes, and of all things, she wanted to photograph my hands.

To see what she had in mind for her project, click here and you can check out her photography blog. After reading the very sweet and gracious things she had to say, I am more thankful for my hands than ever. :-)

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