What Have You Gained?

Statistics tell us that most women are not happy about their image when they look in the mirror. When I was young and would sit watching my mother get ready for her day's work I would wonder. She fussed and fretted over something she didn't like about her hair. I could never see any difference between what she started with and what she settled with at the end, but she spent at least twenty minutes getting it done.  

"And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life. But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last."  (Matthew 19:29-30 ASV)

Quite a few years ago we had a visitor at church one Sunday morning. The man (and maybe his son, if memory serves me at all) had once been associated with the congregation, long before our time. He had several friends amongst the congregation. When services were over there was a good deal of talking and banter from the members of the congregation. My husband and I waited, thinking surely someone of the man's friends from the congregation would invite him home for the noon meal. 

We were surprised when at the last everyone made their goodbyes, and no one had stepped up for a blessing. We asked the man if he would like to come home with us for the noon meal, and he gladly accepted. He came home with us to our modest home, a rather large family, and modest meal. Through the years this scene has taken place in our home, and I'm quite often amazed at what happens. 

While growing up, my Grandfather wasn't big on new innovations. He wasn't a casserole person. He wanted his 'meat, potatoes, and gravy', no nonsense stuff like casseroles for him. So a normal Sunday lunch for me still consisted of a roast of some sort, potatoes, a couple of vegetables, gravy, and of course dessert. Nothing fancy, but adequate. Yet, when we sat down to a simple meal and shared it with company as well it felt like a feast. We talked and laughed, shared stories, and on this particular Sunday lunch the man gave us a copy of a book he had just published. I felt sorry for those poor people who had missed the opportunity of such an afternoon.  

We just finished up a wonderful gospel meeting. In the same manner as my mother styling her hair, I fuss and fret over preparation for our visitor. Will this look right, will it be right, and what to prepare for meals? 

As most often happens 'time and tide wait for no man', and the eventful occurrence takes place. We currently have a phrase that covers many things: 'It is what it is'. I wish I could have polished things more, maybe gotten some optical things in order, but the speaker did an excellent job, and what a blessing we gained.

"The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them." (Proverbs 20:12 ASV)

I am reminded of this scripture and I realize I don't have to be the most beautiful person, or have the best possessions, greatest house, or what not. What I must have is seeing eyes, hearing ears, and an open heart. 

Somewhere along my path I came across a saying:  If there is room in the heart, there is room in the home. 

Hallelujah! What a Savior!