I have a dream…

[bl]I[/bl] want to build a house. Not for me, not for my family. For you. For the college student that can’t afford to stay on campus. For the single mother who just had a baby. For the dear friend who needs a place that will keep her. For the stranger who needs a bed. For the friend of a friend who is in town. For the one with child who has no where to go. For the family struggling to pay bills. For the young parents who need to escape for the weekend.

And I want this house to be near to mine. A cottage nestled in my woods. A cozy place for someone to call home. For a night, a weekend, a year. A place meant to heal and comfort. Keep and hold. Then propel all who enter toward new life and greater faith.

And if I could build this house, I would give it a foundation that is solid and strong so when people walk it’s floors they feel safe.  I would want the front door to look like this.

Beautiful, but more importantly, open. And like Shadi’s door, ready to receive people of all kinds.

I would paint the walls with color, but mostly with prayers that give hope to the searching soul. I would stuff the pillows with feathers and so much love that when heads fall to sleep fear is driven out and peace brings rest.

I would blanket the beds with quilts in hopes that the guests feel covered in God’s grace that stitches together their entire life.

I would offer to cook them food that nourishes their body, and speak Truth that feeds their spirit.

This house of hospitality is designed by my heart’s desire to be a person and place that welcomes. What are your dreams? How do you desire to grow in this way of living out grace for others? How is God calling you to serve and provide for those with a need? What is your ministry dream – something you would love to do in the name of Jesus? I want to hear them. Will you write them to me, encourage me with these God-filled dreams? Post them on the Facebook link or email privately. It would fill my heart.

And one last thing…

If I could build this house, I would make these cookies each time a new guest arrived.

For who doesn’t love to be welcomed by warm chocolate chip cookies?

Sean Stockman does.

Our Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 Sticks of butter

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Brown Sugar

2 tsp Vanilla

2 Eggs

3 Cups flour

1 unleveled tsp salt

1 unleveled tsp Baking Soda

Chocolate chips (I use about 1 ½ – 2 cups)

Cream together butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and beat for 30-60 seconds with an electric mixer. Add and stir in by hand flour, salt and baking soda. Stir in chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 degrees.

This particular batch of cookies I added peanut butter chips and pieces of pretzel. First time to try it and I loved it!