Friday
Dear Elsie
It’s been two years since we put our units on Airbnb and started hosting. And there is one massive lesson I learned almost immediately. We had put together the listing and were about to push the publish button.
Before we did, Mike and I sat down in my office and prayed. We prayed that the Lord would bring the right people and they would find our cottage a place of peace and rest. We committed it to the Lord and then we pressed ‘publish’ and the listing inquiry. I was thrilled.
I was super eager to get them, so when they asked for me to keep it a day or two, I had no problem.
We continued with the next message. They were coming for a birthday celebration.
And then this message arrived. Bear in mind, we had just prayed for God to send the right people. This was our very first inquiry. 
I thought they phrased it so well. How was I going to reply? At that moment, I realised there was only one right answer.
At that moment, Airbnb changed me. I was not the judge. I would accept unconditionally the people who came to our place. I am sure there would be many guests who come who are vastly different to me. And I was right on that score. Most guests are delightful, but we certainly have had some colourful ones (think the Russians who threw a wine bottle through the bedroom window).
My thinking became more concrete this week when I watched Andy Stanley’s latest video.
I want circles not lines. I can’t control people’s choices and my unconditional love and acceptance of them is not necessarily approval. But I am not the judge.
And that’s the biggest lesson God taught me through Airbnb. I wish I’d learned it earlier.
For the rest of the day, friends came for tea and I worked half the day. I did a little shopping this afternoon and now am ready for the weekend.
Isaiah 12:3
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
It’s not about now – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂