Scott and I are in a season of life when our children are almost grown. Our house is big, but not fancy, but it’s still our largest expense. Every time we consider downsizing, someone needs shelter and we’re glad we didn’t put the house on the market just yet. At this season of life, home is where Scott and I do our kingdom building.
He works full time. I work at couple of part time enterprises that supplement our income and also allow me to minister to the wider community. Based on my experience, I could probably find lucrative full-time work but it just doesn’t make sense right now as I understand God’s economy. The way Scott and I use our gifts allows me to keep the home ready for hospitality, to stretch the food budget with home-cooked meals, and shape my life around relationships with the people drawn to our home.
Sometimes cash flow gets a little tight in our house, but we always adjust to make it work. And I’m very aware that not every family can afford to live this way. But I’ve come to believe Jesus when he says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.”
We know at least six people who came to Christ because our family shared their lives with them and introduced them to the gospel in the context of those home-grown relationships.
Seeing the Spirit move in my home and family has made me aware that God’s economy is local, handcrafted and relational. It’s not a top-down corporate model, it’s a Trinitarian partnership. It’s no wonder table fellowship is such an integral part of the Christian life. Kingdom building is like making a meal from scratch with simple, quality ingredients and sharing it with love–nourishing people and giving them life.
Today when Scott came home from work, I met him with tears in my eyes and thanked him for his sacrifice. Because of the patterns we’ve established, I was free to spend the morning helping a young mom catch up her laundry and the afternoon encouraging two other women I love.
And as I was writing this post, I realized something for the first time–so I had to take a break and go consult with Scott so he wouldn’t be the last to know: if he ever wants to cut back at his job to pursue a dream or a project God puts on his heart, I would be willing to work fulltime. I’m not sure what would happen to those home-cooked meals, but I know I can trust God.
Because in God’s economy, when we seek him first, he takes care of the rest.
Posted on October 25th, 2007 by Kathy
Filed under: Family, Spiritual Disciplines, Living by Faith
Amen. I love you guys so much! Thank you for your sacrificial love towards me, and for making me an official member of the family! I would literally be on the street if you hadn’t taken me in, and I am forever grateful and indebted to you! You are the greatest, Mamma H! I love our talks and our conversations about the LORD. Your heart for Christ is beautiful, and I have learned so much from you already! What a blessing from the LORD!
Kathy,
Thank you for sharing your testimony about your home. I have been included in some of those households during my younger years. I have been enjoying glimpsing your life through this blog for several months and always blessed by your thoughts.
Pastor Don in AZ
Holly, you really humble me! Loving you is not sacrificial, it’s a blessing.
Don, thank you for such kind words. I will be in touch with you by e-mail.
My heart was full when I first read this post, and now as I reread it. I am again drawn to your words and want to respond, but I don’t seem to be able to say it. So, I’ll say thanks for writing this and leave it at that, even though it misses a whole lot else I’m feeling!
Eclexia, I know exactly what you mean. I have that response to your posts, sometimes, too. My heart is too full to say what I feel, so I just pray for you when that happens.
Thank you so much for being an example to me. I know that you have talked about communal living for years…sharing your life with others for the glory of God. And it has only been in the past few months that God has put a similar desire on my heart. Thanks for sharing what God is doing and spurring me on!
Hosanna, you spur me on, too. Friday night Rebekah and I had the house to ourselves for a couple of hours and we had a chance to talk about how God is working through our family. Especially since she heard some teachings by Andy Gray from Urban Refuge in Minneapolois, about how the gospel is about restoration and reconciliation. her heart is awakening, too.