It’s the little things of homemaking and hospitality that make such a big impact on the people that come into your home. This simple sign with a basket is a beautiful addition to your front entryway.
Comfort in a few words!
Have you ever had an experience where you heard the right words at the right time? This was my experience when arriving at a friend’s house one day. I was feeling quite anxious about many things.
When I walked in the first thing I saw was a empty basket with this sign right above it. It read “Before you walk upon the floor, leave your burdens at the door. A home is a nest where souls find peace and hearts can rest.”
As I looked at the empty basket I could visualize all my burdens being placed in it. I didn’t have to carry them with me as I went on with our evening. Thank you, Rebecca Pagel for having this in your home!
We all have burdens we are carrying.
It’s just the reality of living in a fallen world. Also, we all have had experiences going to other people’s homes where we have been anxious or are heavy with burdens. Whether meeting a new friend for the first time, discussing something with someone, or resolving a conflict, we have all felt nervous when going into someone’s home.
The truth is we are all carrying burdens, are we not? Even if we are in a great season in life, we are carrying something around with us.
Having this “Burden Basket” at your front door is a such a powerful signal to your guests to not worry. They don’t have to put on a show, they don’t have to hide what they are going through. They can drop their heavy burdens and rest when they are at your home.
When we show hospitality we have the amazing opportunity to provide a safe, caring, and loving atmosphere for others to lay down their burdens.
The heart of hospitality is care and rest.
Have you ever visited someone’s house and walked away feeling refreshed, and lighter? I know I have. And it is because we can share in one another’s burdens and troubles.
A famous verse many know is Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus is telling his people to come to him with the heavy burdens of their life. He has come into the world to take on our heavy burdens of sin, affliction and disease upon him, and deal with them for us.
As followers of Christ we get to reflect his character in this way. While we have to be careful to not take on the burdens of others that only Christ can take, we can be a sweet voice reminding them to come and lay their cares at the feet of Christ. And our homes can be a place of rest, and care.
There is something special about doing this in the place we live rather than just a coffee house or restaurant. Don’t get me wrong, those places are great too. Many a miraculous moments have happened in coffee houses.
But there is something about a space where you can take off your shoes, feel the freedom to talk openly and without time limit. In addition, we are literally sharing with someone what we have been given, a roof over our heads, and the food off our table.
Go-to verses for showing hospitality
The verses below are verses I often think about when opening my home or my life to someone else:
2nd Corinthians 1:3-4: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
1 Peter 4:8-9 – Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Hebrews 13:2 – Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Tips for those showing hospitality in apartments or temporary living situations.
This still applies to you! Even if you have one couch, or a tiny high top table in your gallery kitchen, your home is still a home to be used for the comfort and care of someone else.
Here are some tips from when I lived in apartments or with roommates and you are self conscious about your space:
- Offer to go for a walk first. Fresh air does everyone some good. Then when you get back, make a cup of tea or coffee even if it’s just for a little while.
- Tidy up your bedroom and sit on your bed. This may seem awkward but if the couch is taken by roommates watching TV, this is a great option!
- Utilize places like a front or back porch if you want a little extra space.
- It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. I once made three different kinds of family sized Campbell’s Soup cans and some bread because it was all I had.
How to make a Burden Basket for your home.
It really is as simple as it sounds! Type up a few words similar to this and print the document. I made mine in Canva. Or you can grab your very own copy of my Burden Basket printable image here.
Next take an old frame you have lying around the house, or find one at a thrift store and hang it up in your front entryway. Make sure it is somewhere people will see it when they first walk in.
Lastly, find an empty basket either in the house or from a store (target has great $5 baskets in their “Dollar Spot” section).
Done!
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