Faith + Airbnb
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law…Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25
This scripture, written on the wall of my kitchen, has touched many guests. One guest sent me this note; “Lyndsay, Good Morning! Thank you so much for the extra work you’ve gone to, to accommodate our stay with Dad. Your kindness (one of the fruits of the Spirit) speaks volumes about you!”
My business would not be a success without God’s amazing guidance in my life. I give him all the credit. I am open and honest about my faith with guests and hosts that I work with, and when a guest cancels last minute or a booking doesn’t work out, I know that it’s God looking out for me and my hosts. There is a reason, unknown to us why these things happen, but because God sees the bigger picture, I fully believe he is looking out for us. On the contrary, God also sends amazing people into our lives and our homes, most of whom I have never met.
One particular guest that will always hold a place in my heart is an elderly gentleman who had alzheimer’s and was nearing the end of his life. His family did not want him to spend his last days in a hospital so his children were taking turns caring for him. His son that lived in Indiana found my house and said that it so closely resembled the family home that they grew up in, that it would perfect for his elderly father because it wouldn’t cause him confusion and anxiety. He asked if I would be ok with letting them stay at my house for at least a month with full 24-hour in home nurse care. I was so moved by their story and completely saw this as God showing me a way to serve that I offered to host them. They had planned to bring in a hospital bed, and other equipment so I needed to move furniture around to accommodate their needs. I never met these guests, but stayed in contact with them regularly throughout their stay. They wanted to do anything they could to create a sense of familiarity and comfort so they even offered to mow my yard so their father could sit outside in his wheelchair and watch. These are moments where God brought scripture to life, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2
This is just one example of one family’s stay in my home, but I could go on and on, guest after guest. I consider my home a worldly possession that is a gift from God. It is gift that is meant to be shared, and I’m so grateful that God chose Airbnb as a way for me to spread the good news and provide a way for me to be a servant to His people. I always strive to provide a safe, clean environment that make guests feel like they are welcome and comfortable.
Guests also send me little notes that brighten my day, such as this note from a guest in 2020, staying during the Pandemic.
“So I have been watching these little signs of spring since they just poked through the ground [daffodils emerging]. Now today even though it is rather overcast, they are brightening up the day with a drop of sunshine. In these strange times, it’s hard to keep hope alive. Thought we have never met, I feel like we have with all the momentos and photos around the house…Hope you and yours are happy and healthy as we come through these difficult times.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
We have shared out home with people from a multitude of countries, almost all 50 states, people of different races, religions, political views, men, women, and children. We have chatted over cups of coffee, or tea, had breakfasts and dinners together, shared recipes, laughs, hikes, bike rides, yoga classes, and late night deep talks by the fire pit. Families have celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, the 4th of July, family reunions, weddings and funerals at our house while we were out of town. Some stay with us just one night, a week or for several months. Our children have learned just as much as we have about how God wants us to treat other people. We don’t have a large house, but are willing to share all of our spaces with complete strangers, and in doing so we are so blessed by all the people we have met! I do consider our guests angels, because they enter our lives as an answer to prayer most of the time. In my reflection I think how many prayers are answered by God, but go unnoticed by many because they may not be open to the way God answers prayers through other people He has placed in our lives and directly in our path.
I’m so excited to see how God continues to work through this ministry of hospitality and helps guide me to share the Good News with His wonderful people.
“We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people that we may work together for the truth.” 3 John 1:8
