What is your address and WHO lives with you?

Many times we are asked to give out our address. When you are explaining to someone where you live you describe it with numbers and a street name right? Our home is an important part of our life. It is where we find comfort. It is where many memories are created. It is a place where, for a time, you can relax and be yourself outside of the hustle and bustle of the world. 

But when you are talking on the phone trying to explain the directions to your home, whether it be someone dropping off a child to play or the pizza man, it would be an invasion of your privacy if that person would ask you "Who lives with you?" WHOA BUDDY! Now that is NOT a question you should ask nor a question that I feel obligated to answer! As a matter of fact, now I'm questioning YOUR integrity as a person and may not want to converse with you any longer! You have no right to ask me "Who lives with me!" 

...OR DO THEY?

Recently our neighbors home burned down. This had been their home for 2 years. This was my husbands home for the previous 18 years. But in the midst of tragedy there was peace. EVERYWHERE! Through the tears of watching what was created go up in smoke; there was peace. Firemen everywhere, black smoke, no less than a million hugs, and the hope that,at any moment in time, the fire would immediately come to a screeching halt and memories would  be saved...but it didn't.

In The 14th chapter of John, verses 23 and 24, Jesus answers the question... "Who lives with you?" 

"Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our HOME with them.  Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."

In the midst of tragedy there is a beautiful family who chooses not to be devastated. There are 3 people who undoubtedly understand, that even though they don't have a bedroom to sleep in, a couch to relax on, or a kitchen table to share a meal at...their "Home" is the place where Jesus resides, and Jesus resides in their heart. 

So if someone is bold and asks you "Who lives WITH you?", no tragic fire or devastating act should ever keep you from responding with "Jesus! Jesus lives with me and I was saved by Grace."