Hospitality
I'm a people person.
Being around people makes me happy. I feed off the energy of people mingling together, laughing, conversing, enjoying each others company. I thrive on the idea of hosting people in our home and providing them comfort, food, and good company (or at least we think it's good company!).
This weekend, really starting on Wednesday evening, my husband I got to begin our weekend of hosting. My sister and her husband decided to make a surprise visit to Michigan, and we were blessed to have them stay in our home Wednesday evening through late Thursday morning.
Though I didn't have much time to prepare for their arrival, we were able to enjoy conversation, watch our puppies play, and catch up on life while the guys devoured some late night Taco Bell. I relished in the moment of sweet family time; however short it may have been.
And this was just a kick-start to our weekend!
Tonight one of Clay's best friend's from Ohio is coming to stay for the weekend. This will be the first time Cory will be staying with us (really Clay) since Clay and I have been married and I am so excited.
I've planned out the meals for the weekend, spent a little extra grocery money on "luxuries" like bacon, cleaned the apartment, and have a list of final "to-do's" for Clay and I when we get home from work.
I love hospitality and being hospitable.
I think it all roots back to a few things for me. One, my family has always been very hospitable. Not only to other family members, but also to friends, and at times, college students who needed a place to live. I have learned from their example. Two, when I was in chorus, in high school and college, whenever we went on chorus tour we were hosted by families of the churches we performed at. The hospitality shown to me, whether great or small, was always a blessing and so encouraging. There were many occasions when I truly felt loved by these "host families" who so generously opened their homes to me and my fellow chorus members. I have learned from their example as well.
One other example I have learned from is that of the Bible. Shocker, I know. But it couldn't be more true.
The prevalence of community and sharing in life with one another, and providing for one another in the Bible has made a huge impact on my life. I strive to be a person who welcomes and cares for others.
Just as one example, 1 Peter 4:8-11 says,
Whatever we do, may we do so with the strength God has given us so that in all things He may be praised.
Being around people makes me happy. I feed off the energy of people mingling together, laughing, conversing, enjoying each others company. I thrive on the idea of hosting people in our home and providing them comfort, food, and good company (or at least we think it's good company!).
This weekend, really starting on Wednesday evening, my husband I got to begin our weekend of hosting. My sister and her husband decided to make a surprise visit to Michigan, and we were blessed to have them stay in our home Wednesday evening through late Thursday morning.
Though I didn't have much time to prepare for their arrival, we were able to enjoy conversation, watch our puppies play, and catch up on life while the guys devoured some late night Taco Bell. I relished in the moment of sweet family time; however short it may have been.
And this was just a kick-start to our weekend!
Tonight one of Clay's best friend's from Ohio is coming to stay for the weekend. This will be the first time Cory will be staying with us (really Clay) since Clay and I have been married and I am so excited.
I've planned out the meals for the weekend, spent a little extra grocery money on "luxuries" like bacon, cleaned the apartment, and have a list of final "to-do's" for Clay and I when we get home from work.
I love hospitality and being hospitable.
I think it all roots back to a few things for me. One, my family has always been very hospitable. Not only to other family members, but also to friends, and at times, college students who needed a place to live. I have learned from their example. Two, when I was in chorus, in high school and college, whenever we went on chorus tour we were hosted by families of the churches we performed at. The hospitality shown to me, whether great or small, was always a blessing and so encouraging. There were many occasions when I truly felt loved by these "host families" who so generously opened their homes to me and my fellow chorus members. I have learned from their example as well.
One other example I have learned from is that of the Bible. Shocker, I know. But it couldn't be more true.
The prevalence of community and sharing in life with one another, and providing for one another in the Bible has made a huge impact on my life. I strive to be a person who welcomes and cares for others.
Just as one example, 1 Peter 4:8-11 says,
" Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
I believe God has given me the gift of hospitality and a passion for community. I love the title of this section in 1 Peter, "Living for God." What better way to live for God than to host and love on his children? Some of the times I feel most loved is when I am invited over to someone's home, fed, loved on, engaged in conversation with, and shown the hospitality and love of Christ. I hope to extend that same hospitality and love to all who walk into our home. The sharing of meals, words, and home are a powerful thing and I look forward to seeing how God uses me and my husband through those avenues.
I know I can't do it perfectly, but when hosting and sharing in community with others, by the grace of God, I get to speak the very words of God, words of love and encouragement, to those in our home. I get to offer a glimpse at what being hosted by Jesus would be like. How humbling, overwhelming, and amazing is that?!
Whatever we do, may we do so with the strength God has given us so that in all things He may be praised.
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