Things in the Rhyno household are never dull. We are doing our best to raise our kids to be people-lovers, and so we seem to be getting the whole "living in community" thing down. We love to have people in our house. Some come to visit. Some come to sleep over. Some come to live for a while. Some join our family for a long time.
For instance, this week has included:
- 2 lovely, fun and helpful Bethany girls, Candice and Carly, staying with us for their March Break week.
-A snowy Saturday afternoon of Lego-building with several extra kids and adults.
- Liz, Isaac and Tyler Andretta here for 2 1/2 days...we love our regular Andretta visits and sleep-overs.
-A great dinner party shopped for, cooked and hosted by C&C, with 6 other guests: lots of food and lots of Wii action.
-An impromptu "I'm coming over and bringing lunch" lunch date with Melinda, Asa and Lily McNeil.
-And a tour for soon-to-be-resident, Mike Chapman, who moves into our tower next week.
And it's only Thursday.
Life in our house would be very different if we didn't regularly host people. I like functioning with lots of people around, as long as there is some quiet time and we all have a common focus of working together to make the stuff of life happen. I love how our kids love people, and very readily accept them into our family. I love teaching them that the Lord has blessed us with a home for the purpose of blessing other people, by providing shelter, respite, warmth and meals. I love seeing the gift of hospitality growing in our kiddos. ( I also love that our children aren't phased by the hustle and bustle, and will still get their homework done, and go to bed well in the middle of it all.) I love it when my husband sits beside me in a sea of people in our home and whispers, "This is worship."
Because it is...loving people, investing in them and caring for them is an act of worship. I love loving the Lord by loving the people He's put into our lives.
Community...it's cool to see it working.
10 comments:
We have been studying and trying to live out community at our church in our lifegroup. P Moe has been teaching on it and its been great over the years. From basic practical things, to calls and "being there" for people, its been a huge focus. I have come to love community. I will miss having a home where we can be hospitible. We have hosted several people and its been fun! They are memories I will never forget! I get excited when the church works like the body it is suppose to.
I love seeing community come to life. It is a pleasure being part of your community friend!
I love the thought of community - growing together, loving Christ together, showing God's love to others.
I was never raised to have others in my home - my mom was so concerned with our house (we didn't have a lot of money). Now I'm married with a child and I notice I am the same way! And I hate that about myself!!
How do you deal with your house not being clean? Or is it just always clean? What are some easy, practical ways to ease into hospitality? We are called to be hospitable, and the early church broke bread together daily.
How does one learn this?
And also (while I'm prattling on), how does one achieve a community? We don't know a lot of people in our area, and our church doesn't seem to have a sense of "family" there.
I've been praying for God to bring people into my life, but maybe my eyes aren't open wide enough?
Community...Fellowship...loving on others...serving... one of my most favorite things to do!!! Sharing the love of Christ that lives in you... spreading it around... such a blessing!
Your home sounds like a warm, cozy and FUN place to be...maybe the Condon's will invade the Rhyno home someday for a visit!!!
Anonymous - Haha...NOPE. My house certainly isn't always clean! (Read a few posts back to hear about a change I went through from desperately needing to present a "showpiece" to loving offering a "home".)
I think the key ingredient to being hospitable isn't how clean your house is or how fancy the meal is that you've prepared. I think it's just showing a genuine interest in people's lives and families...loving them, loving their kids, finding out how you can be a part of their life.
And, that's the best way to make community too...look around for people with kids or grandkids (they're a great conversation starter at the very least!) Or ask around to see if anyone is in the midst of moving in or moving out...offer to help them, and start conversations about them and their lives. Or find a new Mom who might need help in her house or help with her baby...
Real relationships develop between people who genuinely love. And genuine love is often displayed by sacrificial service.
So, even without a super-clean house or 4-course meal, the people who you invite into your home will genuinely love to be there, and you will genuinely love having them there, because you've genuinely invested in their lives. (And, as that community developes, you'll see that when thoe people are in your home, they'll be so at home that they'll even help you cleaning up!)
Anonymous...do I know you?
Heather...it will be cool for you to see how to make community even without a home. It will look different, but it will be no less important.
Melinda...me too! :)
Shelly...ABSOLUTELY!!
No... in fact, I've been reading your blog for some time, and so I can't remember how I found it! But I love reading what you write, so never stop - you have certainly blessed me.
This is a very challenging post for me, and it's certainly convicting - something I need to bring before the Lord. We're new to the area, so establishing community has been a challenge, but you're right; I've found that willing hands often establish a friendship.
Thanks. :)
Lynn
I like how the Body of Christ can even unite over the internet! Thanks for sharing :)
I would like to get into the habit of being hospitable more. We have certainly been blessed by people in our church through hospitality shown to us, but I don't feel that I've opened my doors enough. I think I need to just start doing it more to get over my "fear."
Here Here!! (to your post)
For many years we were on the receiving end of experiencing Rhyno family community! And I'm sure it has played a part in teaching me to make my own home open and safe for others to be a part of.
Growing up we always had people in our home and in turn I enjoy doing the same thing.
I too have struggled with wanting to have my house perfect before people step foot into it. However I have found that over the years, and having 2 kids, that notion has really taken a back seat.
It's interesting actually. When visitors come and I let them in to a "Hey there! Come on in! Oh, the house is a wreck...just dump your stuff at the door and don't worry about your shoes...(yada yada yada)" People always say "OH GOOD!" and relax even MORE!
I think it makes them feel more at home to see that things aren't perfect here, and it's a normal, crazy household.
I've learned to embrace that and to clean when I need to, and not let it control my life.
Community is much more important to have....
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