Simple Hospitality
Last month, a sweet friend was commenting to me about how she has been encouraged by the gift of hospitality in my life. I enjoy hosting meetings and coffee dates in our home, mainly because I am a high extrovert. I love being involved in ministry and I am always encouraged by seeing what God is doing in other people's lives. I felt so blessed and humbled by her compliment.
I just took a trip to the East Coast to visit my family and see some old friends. I am always amazed by how kind, hospitable, and generous my family and friends are. It is not easy to host a family with 5 kiddos, but whenever we make the trek out there, we are so warmly welcomed! Countless delicious meals, snacks, coffee, and beds/floors/sofas are often extended to my family and we are so blessed. God has used my family and friends to teach me how to stretch myself and be more hospitable and I am so grateful!
1 Peter 4:8-9 says, "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling."
Notice that this scripture does NOT say that your hospitality has to be Pinterest worthy, although if you are that gifted and creative, and it doesn't over-burden you...go ahead! The Bible DOES say that our hospitality just has to be "without grumbling"! You do not need the perfect house, decor, or food to extend hospitality...You just have to offer whatever you have in love. I am so thankful and provoked by the love and thoughtfulness of our family and friends. So many people made sure to have gluten-free foods ready for us, knowing that some in my family are GF. One of my friend's has these amazing teen daughters who even made us GF molten chocolate cake to welcome us! It's in these details that I feel God's love through people and provokes me to be more hospitable and thoughtful to others.
Matthew 10:42 says, “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.Isn't it amazing that even the simplest act of kindness is noticed by the Lord? This verse shows that He is so kind and eagerly wants to reward us.”
A few weeks ago, I was in a different state with my daughter and we ate at Buffalo Wild Wings. It was my first time eating there since we have been back in America and I ordered too much food in my eagerness and delight! I had the waiter pack our leftovers when we were finished. Afterwards, I was on my way to a bookstore but I missed my turn. I was so annoyed at myself because sadly, I do tend to be directionally challenged even with a GPS! As I was about to U-turn, I saw in the distance a homeless man who had a cardboard sign asking for food or money. Suddenly my annoyance at myself, turned into gladness as I marveled at the Lord's kindness to this man. Maybe the Lord had me miss my turn so that I could bless this guy with our leftovers...I don't mean to over-spiritualize my wrong turn, but God can indeed redeem anything...even wrong turns. Well, the homeless man certainly seemed excited to have buffalo wings for lunch that day too.
I do not share this story to boast that I helped a homeless man. I wanted to share this story to provoke each one of us, myself included, to see that even the smallest acts of hospitality and kindness can be a blessing to someone (as well as ourselves). God is such a kind Father! In the past, I never realized or believed that the Lord is this kind. I wrongly have thought that He is not that nice and always asks me to do things that I don't want to do! But His kindness is something He has been teaching me over the past 3 years. He is exceedingly kind and good and I don't just say it, I truly believe it now. What is one thing you can do to stretch yourself in this area this week? Please pray about it, and I will too. God loves using us to show His love to others, so I am confident He will show us something to do this week for someone else, if we ask Him! ❤