When I hear the words "open house" I'm always taken back to that time in Fall when as a child, parents would come to the school, look through your desk or locker, talk about how embarrassed they were because your desk seemed to be the least organized (when truthfully the teacher had you clean it out that day, so it looked a ton better than it had the day before - total bummer the parents thought it looked bad...ha!), look at your art work, hear how wonderful of a student you were - even if you did talk a little too much (okay, a LOT too much), and you would get to show them around the room or school with excitement. FYI - I think Open House is way more fun for the kids than it is for the parent or teachers.
Okay, that was random, because that is not quite where this blog is headed....ha!
Tonight, I hosted my first small group. For those of you unfamiliar with a small group, it's basically a group of people coming together to share life - because it can be hard to connect with folks if you go to a larger church. I've said for a while that when we moved, I would host a small group, and well, now is that time.
I actually felt nervous about the whole thing....to open up your house, invite people in, and then hope they get something out of the experience - connect on a level that makes them want to come back. It's like going on a blind date. =) You know you obviously have some things in common or you wouldn't be there, but are those things going to be enough to make you ask for a second go round.
However, somewhere in all those random thoughts, I had this one: "I want to have an open house". Not the kind where people come to see what you've accomplished, or marvel at how much junk you can shove in one desk, but where people feel welcome. Not only do I want to a have physical open house - where you can come in, relax, feel at peace, and make yourself at home, but I want my heart to be an open house. I want a heart that is open to people, vulnerable in relationships, and willing to share my experiences in hopes of being able to help someone else along the way and in turn receive encouragement and strength from their experiences. So, that is the approach I've decided to take. I decided it was best just to be the real Kim. After all, just like to have friends you must show yourself friendly - I believe that people will be able to tell if you're asking them to be open with you and yet holding back from them.
Tonight, as I get ready to go to bed, I am excited to see what the future holds. I look forward to an open house....with great anticipation. Excepting great things.
This is a beautiful life.
