Hospitality
Openly receiving others and doing so with a loving heart.
(1 Peter 4:9)
I (Linda) don’t know about you, but I love having people in my home. It gives me great joy to serve others and make them feel comfortable and welcome in my home. Some may say I have the gift of hospitality because of this, but I have to disagree at least a little bit. I want to be hospitable, but I am not sure I am gifted with hospitality. I will explain.
When I know I will have guests, I prepare ahead of time. I make sure I have foods that they want to eat. I make sure my home is clean; and if they stay overnight, I make sure they have many of the comforts of home. I love this, but I admit it does add a little stress on me. See, I want everything perfect for my guests. I almost feel that if everything is not just “so-so”, that my guests may not feel welcomed and,.. well…, like a guest! This to me is not full-on hospitality in action!
My best friend Juanita, who is living with Jesus now, was the pure definition of hospitality. I have never met another as hospitable as she. In fact when I hear or read the word “hospitality”, Juanita comes to my mind immediately. Let me share with you a story of this sweet lady’s gift of hospitality.
Juanita’s house was just your average house: warm, clean, inviting, but nothing fancy. I say this because I want you to understand that Juanita did not have what the world would consider “a lot.” She did not have “a lot” of stuff, finances, etc. She had what she needed; but all she had, she shared freely!
I mentioned that I love having people in our home. I also mentioned that I like to be prepared. I am not sure how my nerves would handle it if a friend or relative showed up unexpectedly at my door to stay for a few days. I would absolutely welcome them in, but it would probably stress me. With Juanita, however, you could show up any time, day or night, and she would make you come in, sit you down at the kitchen table, and give you something to drink. You were never allowed to just stop by and stand in her kitchen doorway! No way. She made you sit down and chat – even if it were only for a few minutes.
I have always admired her for this. Juanita and her husband ALWAYS welcomed anyone and everyone into their home. They loved others well and often fed others very well too! How I miss my sweet friend.
Juanita went to be with Jesus years ago. She passed from a rare form of brain cancer. I had the absolute privilege and pleasure to help care for her in her home. Taking her to her appointments and standing by her bedside singing hymns to her, when she could no longer get up. Juanita’s whole life was full of Jesus! In the early days of her diagnosis you still could not stand in her doorway. You HAD to sit at the table. When she wasn’t feeling well, she still smiled brightly and welcomed you. She insisted on serving you.
Yes, “Hospitality = Juanita” in my book.
Hebrews 13:2: Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
I’ve always wondered how many angels my sweet friend served! 🙂
Whenever Juanita needed to gather people together she would always yell out, “My friends! My friends!” She called everyone “my friend.” When she was first diagnosed this was actually helpful to her because she had trouble recalling people’s names. Haha! ( I can laugh only because she always laughed at it too.)
When Juanita went home to Jesus many, many “friends” came to her memorial. The common theme at her service was how she served and loved us all. She had the heart of Jesus. She never met a stranger, and you were going to feel welcomed and loved no matter what! THAT is true hospitality! The setting doesn’t have to be perfect! You just need to welcome and love those that stand in your kitchen doorway…or join you in your home. I wonder if Juanita has the blessed responsibility of helping Jesus plan our Welcome Home party when we get to heaven. She’d do it with a huge smile on her face and a warm welcome. Whether we have “the gift” or not, I bet we can get better and better at being hospitable and showing Jesus’ love in that way.
Consider this:
Do the Book – Do Hebrews 13:2
- Does your spouse or do you enjoy entertaining others in your home? Would you like to get better at it? Perhaps you could take the opportunity to invite your neighbors over to your place for a brunch or cookout. The gift of hospitality provides a great way to get to know others and learn how to be a blessing to them.
- What about some of your children’s friends? Helping your child develop a friend group can have great dividends for them and for your whole family. The adults may build a “friend group” too.
- You may want to practice the gift or get better at it by having work or school associates over for a party or meal. I know Jesus met many people and shared His love with others in settings with hospitable people! Maybe He would join you at your get-together!
Encounter Jesus
In your time with Jesus while walking, worshiping, listening, or just being still, remember or read about how Jesus welcomed little children, those who’d been rejected (lepers) and people who’d been judged to be “inferior” in some way. Remember or ask Him again how He has welcomed you into His forever family. He could have rejected us, but He didn’t. Praise Him for all of it!
Have some Real Fellowship
With your spouse (if married), another friend, or with your family, recall those, in your experience, who were the most hospitable and share memories of that person similarly to the way Linda did about Juanita.