The house my parents presently live in is the same house they bought as newlyweds…a 4 bedroom house, a young couple with plans to fill each room and the presence of the Holy Spirit was the foundation. As I reminisce over each room of this dear house, loving memories rush through my mind taking me back to any moment in time. The family room lived up to its name…a room for the family to embrace life guided by the Holy Spirit. This room has seen orange shag carpet, dark wood panel and multiple layers of paint on the walls…all witnesses to family tradition, family prayers, games and conversations with a long list of guest, laughter and tears, hugs and embraces, fun times and serious times, hellos and goodbyes. This room has seen cats and dogs, fish and an unwelcomed mouse that looked a lot like Mickey. The seasons changed the room throughout the year from fresh spring flowers to Southern Living style pumpkins to real pinecones and live greenery at Christmas all filling the room with an appropriate aroma of the season. The carpet has been worn out and replaced from the many footsteps that left their marks from regular guests to first time guests. The paint has been chipped as memories left their marks for years to come.
These sweet memories are a result of a young couple who, almost 40 years ago, chose to serve the Lord through their marriage and hospitality. Every circumstance and each decision was covered in prayer as wisdom was revealed through the pages of Scripture. The Holy Spirit was the unseen guest at every moment, involved in every meal, every party and every conversation. When families make a daily commitment to serve the Lord, He is the glue that holds the family together through thick and thin, for better or for worse, near or far.
We are about to move into yet another home. This will be the fifth home in 10 years for my husband and me, unlike my parent’s lifelong home. I deeply wish I could have had one house…one home…one place of memories for our own family. However, we have been incredibly blessed to carry on with our lives accompanied by the same unseen guest, guiding our every move. Although our location has changed, God has not. His presence remains in my parents’ home yet has followed us to our own home. And once again, the Lord has intervened gluing our own family together…
through thick and thin…
for better or for worse…
near or far.
“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
