On my most recent trip down the Blue Ridge to Georgia, Just My Joe and I helped our friend Ed celebrate his new home.

I had researched what I thought was the Amish tradition for blessing new homes.  Turns out, the Jewish and Italian communities identify similar traditions as their own too.

Regardless of its origin, I think it’s lovely.  Here’s what you do:

First, share a scripture or poignant passage.  I chose Luke 10:5: “And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’”  Then, ask God’s blessing on the home and the family.

Next, you give the new homeowners three items:

(1)   Bread – so they will never go hungry

(2)   Salt – so that they can season their lives with goodness and mend their wounds

(3)   A Broom – so they can sweep away their sorrows and worries

It got me to thinking that if you can secure these ideal end results just by presentation of certain representative items, then I’m going to immediately move and ask my friends to bring me these things:

(1)   A piggy bank– so I’ll never be poor

(2)   A second piggy bank– I really don’t want to be poor

(3)   Chlorine and chemicals – hmmm, I hope this produces a patio as well as a pool

(4)   A pair of size 4 jeans – probably obvious on this one

(5)   Floor mats for a Mercedes – ditto on obvious

(6)   Wine – so I’ll never be thirsty

(7)   Aspirin – so I’ll never have a headache from the wine that I drank so that I’d never be thirsty

(8)   PhotoShop’d photographs of me, wrinkles and flaws removed – can’t wait to look like the picture!

Friends, let me know what you’d like me to bring to YOUR house next time you move into a new home!

Wise words: Matthew 7:24 — “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”