Inhouse Discipleship

The number of interns around here keeps growing. I love young people. I love sharing my home with them (remember my post on musical bedrooms?) And it looks like this summer may bring an influx of young men our way. Time to build a boys dorm, I think -- something I never needed around here for my natural family!

When I was growing up my aunt's younger sister lived with us for a season of time. I absolutely adored her. I clearly recall sitting on her bed while she fussed over my hair, trimmed my nails, laughed and sang songs. She cooked Pork Adobo (she was Philippino) and told stories of village life before she moved to Manilla. Her broken English was enchanting. Recollections of Susan are like precious jewels in my treasure box of memories. She came and she went. But the season was special.

Maybe my love for having people in my home began there, in that basement bedroom, sharing magical moments with that tiny dark-skinned girl-woman. Maybe my passion for learning about different cultures was ignited through her stories of a life so different from mine. Maybe an enlargement came to my heart as a result of my parents making room for her in our home. I only know that the impact was more than any of us expected.

Now I look back at the home my husband and I have built, with the Lord's gracious help. Over the years our house has been an interim home to many people - 14 individuals who have called our address their own at least for a time, come immediately to mind, and perhaps there were one or two more, if I really stop to recall. My children have been the rich recipients, and hopefully we were able to give something to those who shared their lives with us as well. I know this -- Merrick is loving it. He is beginning to think that "unlimited brothers" is standard fare. He seems to understand which ones are on loan and which ones have a permanent place. In the midst of it all he is thriving.

I just wish I was better at household management. Perhaps an increase will force the issue. Perhaps God is willing to work with me in spite of my lack (do you think? I certainly hope so!) Or perhaps the ship will sink and we will go belly up. Whatever! We will never know until we have tried. The main thing is to serve Him, reach out, care, disciple in whatever way you can (I know this method is probably not for everyone), and look to Him for the increase.

At any rate, I am quickly looking ahead to a full house this summer. And it looks like I may be in need of a twin bed -- if anyone out there has an extra one floating around!