Mixed space

As we prepare to close on a new home at the end of the month I have been praying about how we can best use this place to love like Jesus. In Gen 18:1-21 we see Abraham loving three strangers with an amazing enthusiasm that carries over into the NT as shown in Heb 13:2. The Old Testament custom of hospitality was so ingrained that strangers waited at the city gate, well, or market place until they were invited in. Bread and water was given and the guest feet washed and their head anointed with oil. Now I don’t know if we will be anointing anyone with oil but I want our home to be hospitable.

In searching for a home we found ourselves trying to be intentional about finding a place that could be used for multiple purposes. We have designated the basement as our main gathering space. Once rehabbed this will be a large space capable of holding a community of 30+ people where we will eat together, worship together, and encourage one another. We also hope to use this space as an indoor playground for those cold Baltimore winters.

The property also has a building (an old Jewelry store) detached from the home itself. This building we would like to reclaim and turn into a “man room” place for guys to gather together, watch games, have deep conversation, learn to be better men, and grow in relationship together.

Our hope is that our home would always be a place where people can come, feel comfortable, and feel loved. It’s not about creating a large space to keep up with the Joneses, it’s about creating space where we can love the Joneses.