For behold! I tell a myst’ry:

At the trumpet sound we’ll wake

“Death is swallowed up in vict’ry!”

When we meet our King of Grace

Every year we thought was wasted

Every night we cried “How long?”

All will be a passing moment

In our Savior’s vict’ry song

-Wendell Kimbrough, Eternal Weight Of Glory

I usually love a good to do list. They keep me focused and give me a sense of accomplishment as I mark each item off. However, of late I’ve felt our house to-do list overwhelming me. Everywhere I turn, there’s a project; some big and some small. We have been trying to squeeze in projects during every spare moment. My mind has been consumed by what curtains and mattress we need for our guest room and how I could find the time to touch up paint all over the house.

On Friday, we pushed pause on our projects and had our small group over for a potluck. I felt the weight of things undone as we prepared for our friends to arrive, but as they did, that feeling completely lifted. Instead, I was filled with the joy of hospitality: good company, good food, and good conversation. I watched friends who are invested in our family play with my children and got real updates on everyone’s lives.

As Ben and I cleaned up the kitchen, I felt refreshed and reminded of why we designed and built our house the way we did in the first place. We wanted a space where we could raise and nurture our family, but we also longed for a space where we could more easily welcome others in. It became clear that I was missing the forest for the trees and giving into worry instead of seeking gratitude and service.

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

-Matthew 6:31-33