My good friend, Organizing Mommy, of Organized Everyday, has written a great post on being hospitable called, Hospitality 101: the mark of a gracious Christian. Here’s a little taste:
Hospitality is an great idea for all Christians, not just the ones who appear to have a natural ability in this endeavor. If it were up to natural abilities, I would not feel qualified to do this. I’m not fancy and fussy. I serve normal, plain food to people. My house is not spotless, and my kids are not perfect.
For some reason, I do not let those things stop me from having people over. I see this as something that God is in. It’s God’s work, so he promises to do the providing.
As someone who was “hospitably challenged” when I first got married, I can attest to the truth of her wonderful encouragement. Anyone can learn hospitality, even the people who (like me!) are more naturally suited to life on deserted islands, and the ideas in this post are a great place to start.
April 1st, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Thanks sweetie. Your comments are so sweet also. You seem to be very outgoing now. I think you would plan great parties! God has used hospitality to reach out to so many!
April 1st, 2009 at 3:57 pm
When I was a young married woman we lived in a small 2 bedroom apt. Most of our friends were older and already had homes and places that I felt were acceptable for company. I never had people over. Now, with 6 kids, I have realized that hospitality is not about having the biggest house, the cleanest house, or the perfect family.
This past weekend a young married couple with 1 small child had us over for lunch after church. They live in a small family housing dorm on a college campus. There are regular families with huge houses and a couple kids that are unwilling to take on our family of 8.
I was so blessed and hope that my own daughters will learn the lesson that this young wife and mom has learned: hospitality is not about being fancy or putting on a show, but rather, a desire to open our homes and serve others. I enjoyed my time in their small home, it was a great meal, and best of all good fellowship.