Preparation for the Summer Book Club evening was an all day process. There were suppers to pack, gifts to wrap, a DVD to watch, questions to ponder, and prayers to whisper. But as I began preparing for the evening, I had renewed strength because I was exercising one of my spiritual gifts, hospitality: making people feel at home. The gifts, sack suppers, lemonade, and of course, sweet tea, all served up with a touch of southern hospitality.
What I love about these ladies is that they "ooh and ah" over the simplest of pleasures. One in particular said something to the effect, "This is the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich I've had in a long time; (laughing) probably because someone else made it for me."
Because time was short, (I had had 4 events in 4 days) I prepared something simple, sprinkled with a splash of color. My favorite part of the evening was the laughter, the conversation, and the encouragement spilling all over my home as the women received their sack suppers. They opened their first gift of the evening, ate, and were filled.
Jesus loved visiting people, and especially with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Because He visited with them in their home on many occasions, and the fact that He wept over Lazarus' death, it's easy to conclude they probably were close friends. Martha paid special attention to the details when Jesus came to visit and have a meal. She wanted their home to look nice, smell good, and for the dining experience to go well. Jesus knew what she was doing, but because He also knew His time on earth was brief, He wanted her to pay attention to what was most important- knowing and experiencing Him.
Jesus is the best gift ever! Once He is received into the home of our hearts, we are to do more than to just set the Gift on the coffee table. The most important part of receiving a gift is experiencing what is inside. Opening the gift leads to the wonder inside. We need to experience Jesus, the amazing wonder that He beholds. He wants us to know Him, to spend time with Him, to bask in His glory and gifts of grace; He showers gifts on us every moment of every day.
Yes, the details of our lives are important, but the God who is in the details is of utmost importance.
The ladies received a wrapped gift as well. To really understand and experience this gift, they had to open it and then go experience it...day after day after day after day...!
Dear Jesus, as we experience the wonder of your grace, keep our eyes wide open to who You are and how You love us. Today, we open our hands to receive, and our hearts to express thanksgiving. Amen.
My Pleasure,
Melanie
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