I conducted a funeral for Alice who was 91 years old when she died.
Before she passed on, Alice asked to meet with me so we could talk about her memorial service. “Pastor,” Alice said, “I want you to read First Corinthians 13 during the service. I want everyone to know that life is all about love.” When I returned home, I re-read First Corinthians 13.
As I think about traveling and connecting with people around the world, I believe these verses about love speak to me. I want to see the world and connect with other Christians. Love and trust are the basic ingredients for a Christian home exchange.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV):
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
“Love does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” When I talk with people about doing a home exchange, I often hear people comment about their “small cottage” and wonder out loud, “Why would anyone want to swap homes with me?” I try explain to them that a Christian home exchange is not a competition where people compare their home with someone else’s home. People share their homes and communities, of whatever size and shape they are. You might have a castle in the mountains that you are willing to exchange for a small condo in the city or cabin in a rural setting–and it is all a fair exchange.
“Love always protects, always trusts.” Many times those who have never exchanged homes worry about their possessions. Other Christians who live by the Word of love (e.g., 1 Cor. 13), are going to work hard to protect your home and possessions. When you do a home exchange, it is important to remember that, not only are you placing your trust in others, but they are likewise placing their trust in you. When it comes to a home exchange, trust is a two-way street.
Photo Credit: Warm Sunset by José Carlos Babo is licensed under CC by 2.0.
