“‘Can I pray for you?’ There's been so many people that say, ‘No one's ever asked me that before.’”
It’s a unique way to bless someone going through a tough situation by providing practical help, encouragement, and prayer.
“So, the Blessed Home Project, we provide free house cleaning for people going through difficult times, whether that's a cancer diagnosis, a routine surgery, people with mobility issues such as our senior population. We go in and we take care of their home, give them a clean space to offer peace and dignity.”
(Rather listen to our story?) by Richard D. Hunt
The Pittsburgh-area non-profit came to be with some definite inspiration from God explains founder Melissa Laughlin. “So, from a young age, when I was 19, I had a for-profit cleaning company and I did that for many years and I took some time off, raised my girls. And once they were in school, I went back at it. And at that point, it just felt like that wasn't really the purpose for my life. Sure, it was a job and I was still helping families get their house clean, things like that. But I knew there was just something pulling on my heart for something else. And I remember it was a summer day, actually, and I was cleaning someone's floor. And it's kind of like those moments you feel like the Lord gives you a download or drops something in your spirit… to do what you're doing for free. So basically, using the gifts that I had of naturally being able to clean well, I enjoyed it, all of those things, but do it for free, do it for people as a blessing to them.
So, that was in 2019. And by 2020, we formed The Blessed Home Project, created the ‘501’ [non profit] all the formalities, and just knew that that was actually the purpose. All those years of cleaning and serving people, I love to help and be of a practical need for people, but to be able to go into somebody's space and to offer it as a gift rather than a paid service, that's when it just all came together and it's like, ‘yes, this is what I'm supposed to be doing each day!’”
(Richard Hunt) It sounds like God has blessed your obedience.
(Melissa) “Oh yes, for sure. I mean, we're going on six years since then and it has progressed. It has grown. We've been able to expand and just all these things that it's turned into from that small ‘yes’ on that summer day.”
(Richard) What is the general response, the general reaction from those people that you help when they see what you've done for them?
(Melissa) “There's been a lot of tears, happy tears, of course, but just gratefulness. They really feel that in that moment they're seen, that someone sees them and is caring for them. And it's overwhelming for some of these people because they've been walking through a really challenging time, whether it's sickness, caretaking for someone, whatever that might be. And for total strangers to show up in your house and to do something that really brings a sense of calm and relaxation and peace in your home, all for free, all for just the love out of their heart for you, there's just a gratefulness that comes from the people that we're serving. They're just overwhelmed.”
(Richard) Do you have an opportunity when you're cleaning someone's home, when you're making it look fresh and nice to come alongside and offer to pray, share faith and so forth?
(Melissa) That is actually probably our biggest component and the biggest feedback we receive from all of our recipients is that the person and their story, their situation, that is absolutely the number one thing to focus on. Although we're saying, ‘yes, we're coming in, we're doing a free house cleaning,’ which we are. But the first thing immediately coming through the door is if that person wants to sit and talk for a few minutes, if they need a hug, whatever it looks like, that's what we're there for. That's the true ministry of Blessed Home Project, is showing up for people, bringing that hope into their home, bringing encouragement. So naturally, they let their guard down because they feel that they can trust us coming in there. We're showing up with just the love of Jesus. It's all over the team and they absolutely, they love the encouragement. And to be able to say, ‘Can I pray for you?’ There's been so many people that say, ‘No one's ever asked me that before.’ And it's truly sad to hear those things, but it also is just such an honor to come alongside somebody and sit there and hold their hand and pray about their situation, about whatever they're going through and their family members and whatever it might look like. It's just such a beautiful ... God ordained the Blessed Home Project. I mean, he gave me the idea. There's really nothing like it. And just to be able to go in and show up for people and to honor them and to be there for them spiritually, emotionally, and of course the practical piece, it's a huge honor!”
All for free?
You may wonder how the Blessed Home Project is able to provide such an incredibly valued service free-of-charge. Melissa shares that in our complete podcast interview just below. She also shares how her team also receives quite a blessing from the work they do. And Melissa tells us how seeing this project grow and blossom has impacted her own life and walk with Jesus.
Final thoughts – Trusting Jesus
“But when you really know that it's from the Lord and you trust him, you never know where you're going to end up. You never know where you're going to be and who you're going to impact. And that truly trusting his plan is so much better than anything we could ever think of. So, if we're truly in line with his will, I tell people it's just like it's a fun ride following Jesus because you just never know where you may be.”
