Out the Window

We have placed a window in our house where once stood a brick alcove holding a stove and open fireplace. This enables me to see the driveway to the top of the rise. This is a good thing as once a visitor’s car tops the rise they can be seen and I can be prepared for their arrival. This is particularly helpful first thing in the morning.

There are of course times when this doesn’t work. If I am at the other end of the house I often don’t hear or see visitors arrive. We are not used to having many visitors so we tend to be very relaxed about our lifestyle at times. On these occasions I could be easily embarrassed if I am unprepared.

I should remember the parable of the “Ten Virgins” in Matthew 23:1-13. Five of these ladies were smart enough to think ahead and be ready for something that might go wrong. It seems the other five were used to getting by, by the seat of the pants, so to speak.

When the children were young many people laughed at the amount of things I carried around with me either in my bag, which was very large or the car. This was to try and cover any possible contingency that might has arisen. My bag included the compulsory change of clothes for each child, nappies, wipes, medication, toys and books. We got caught once not being able to have a meal somewhere on a trip home because we had nothing to eat with so from there on there was always a picnic set in the car just in case.

There is one visit that will have no warning. It will be when Jesus returns or calls me home. I have already prepared it, no matter when it comes.