The Generosity of Others

This past week has, once again, been a testament to me of the good people -- no, the great people -- Heavenly Father has placed in our my (and our) life.

I write this from the basement of my dear friend Amalea's home.  It is where my family will call home for the next several days.

Some of you may have read about the lovely stair situation at our apartment building.  Well, progress is finally being made.  But the price of that progress was that we had to be relocated temporarily.  Because this relocation fell during the time I'd been planning to have an 80s party at my (albeit ghetto) digs, I had to notify all my invitees that the party had been postponed. 

And in response, Amalea and her husband invited us to stay with them in their basement.  With only the hope that we'd be out in 10 days max (but who knows?  it could go longer...).  And while my husband is on swing shift.  Which means he gets home around midnight. 

I was beyond shocked -- and humbled -- by her invitation.  By their outpouring of love for our little family in this inconvenient situation.  Their offer saved my husband at least 1 1/2 hours of commute time every day for work. 

And here's the thing:  I know there are others of our friends and family who would have welcomed us as well.  (The landlord would have put us up in a hotel, but that would have been less-than-pleasant with a toddler...)  I know we are so very blessed by the generosity and love of others.  It amazes me.

I recognize that it cannot be easy to have 3 extra people living in your home.  And yet...  And yet they offered without hesitation.  And I don't know if I can ever fully repay them for their kindness and love.  This has meant more to our family than we can express.  It has been a stressful time (trying to figure out what all we need for however long we'll be away from home) -- and today was a bit overwhelming and exhausting (we had to be out this evening for them to begin tearing down all the walkways tomorrow morning).  But having a comfortable and open place welcoming us, full of welcoming, loving friends, has made it less difficult than it could have been.  And so, I am grateful.

What are you grateful for today?