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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: CLUMSY (04/11/19)
In my late twenties, I lived and worked in the Midlands. I was single and carefree at heart. I went to college part-time and met many Christians, one of whom was a Christian father named Jim. He lived in Cornwall with his family and spoke often of the beauty of that county. I loved travelling so I secretly determined that I would visit Cornwall, one of these days.

At a Christian conference named Spring Harvest which I attended with a girlfriend, I ran into Jim and his family. Her name was Julie and they had 3 children.
Julie was charming and invited me to stay with them in their Cornish cottage. They offered to show me around the county. I accepted gladly.

I arrived on Friday night after an easy train ride. I was met by the family and I tightly fitted into the back set with the three children. I was made very welcome but was shocked at how messy the cottage was.

The event sharpest in my mind were the three dogs. The cottage was small, a little smelly and untidy. We enjoyed a nice dinner and then it was time to go to bed. I was given a sleeping bag. I was sleeping on the floor of the children's bedroom. I was adaptable, so I smilingly concurred and went to sleep on the floor.
The dogs also went to sleep on the floor.

I drifted off to sleep and woke with a dog head near mine. He stank. I could not sleep after that. It was horrible. The next day I asked the dog's name and was told that his name was Clumsy. In the daytime, I could see how untidy the house was. All the furniture and carpets were covered in hair. I even offered to vacuum clean which I did for about one hour.

Our day's activity was a short tour of the county which I supremely enjoyed.
"At last I was I am Cornwall," I said gladly to Julie.
"You can have it," she said dryly. "Nothing happens here".
"I think it is pretty," I added.

Back at the house, the dogs had no restriction and I understood why the house was smelly. On Sunday we went to church. It was a small friendly church and I enjoyed the service but I was pleased that I was leaving on the afternoon train.

On reflection, I must not judge Julie and Jim. The housekeeping was abominable, but it was not for me to decide. "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" Matthew 7:1-3 (KJV)

I thanked Jim and Julie verbally and with a thank you letter. I will not forget them for their generosity and hospitality to a stranger. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
{Hebrews 13:2 ESV}
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Barbara Culler 
04/19/19
What a interesting story! Kind of reminds me of the Father Tim stories.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/22/19
I could feel your discomfort. My house also has tons of fur everywhere from two Pomeranians and two cats. I used to have a much cleaner house, but chronic illness helped me prioritize what was important to me. I had energy to do things with my kids or keep a super clean house. To me, it was a no brainer. My kids had to come first. You had a nice sense of humor throughout the story and the message is powerful.