Open House

Deb and I did again what we've learned to do in the past; we opened the front door to our home.

We live in a neighborhood where people don't necessarily know each other. We're all somewhat aware of neighbor's work patterns and their respective schedules for using the laundry room, but as a neighborhood of neighbors ours is not tight. There is no Block Watch (which in our case would be called Bear Watch); no history of shared events.

So Deb and I opened our home on Saturday night to our neighbors. Deb had hung invitations on doors the week previous. We cleaned the house (always a good thing) and went Costco shopping. We put on the Christmas music (Deb let me choose) and waited, wondering if anyone would show up. Again, our neighborhood has no history of hospitality given or received.

But people did come. Some admitted to being initially apprehensive; understandably so; but they came. Janelle and Gary (who's cancer will only give him weeks or perhaps months to live) joined us. Jerry came and gifted us some of his Native art. Sylvia (who I had not so much as even seen before) came. Jeff and Denise came, and brought Copper River salmon (in my view, always the perfect holiday gift.) And Neil and Jada brought their infant daughter, who Deb and I fought over for holding rights, but we had to give her back at the end of the evening.

We talked about our respective work and work places, our histories and families, and in some cases we even talked of our faith. And we were told more than once, "Thanks for doing this; it's never been done before." Some told us they had no experience being in a stranger's home.

Showing hospitality is what Deb and I know we are to do; joyfully and regularly. Being hospitable allows us to mirror our God Who in Himself invented and proved hospitality as our Redeemer and Reconciler.

Deb and I are now a little torn. We've been looking for a home with a bigger living room, maybe closer to the University where Deb works. But now we're torn, in that maybe we're supposed to stick around here a while longer so we can help Janelle and Gary in the days ahead, and maybe so we can host a summer barbeque.