Today I had the blessing of attending and giving the invocation for the dedication of the Bledsoe Home, our newest DDM home on our Salem Campus.  While looking around the room, the world "hospitality" came to mind.  The home is warm and inviting, and impeccably decorated.  Yet even more welcoming were the people it contained, from the excited residents with their proud families, to the dedicated staff, our administrative staff who have worked so hard to pull it all together, and sponsors including our board, architect, and friends.  While our gifts are all different, it took all of them working together to make this dream a reality.  From the person who made the punch, to those who cleaned and readied the house, to those who see to all the day-to-day details, all were working from a sense of hospitality.  We get this passion from God, who in his grace is so welcoming to us and gives freely of his many gifts.  When we have received God's love, we can't help but share it with others, extending God's hospitality.  And through it all, God's love is revealed to the world.

  In 1 Corinthians 3:6, the apostle Paul says, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow."

  In your work this week, think about what kind of seeds you are planting and who will continue the work, but above all, trust in God who makes it grow.

Rev. Jenny Frazier Call, M.Div.  
Director of Christian Education 
HopeTree Family Services