I know, I know-it's Tuesday!! And not just Tuesday, but late evening. That is okay. Sometimes life happens and we just carry on. Our family was blessed with a mini vacation and once we returned we hit the ground running. My eyes are droopy, but I want to share about the Heart of Hospitality before I check in for the night.
Main Verse(s):3 John 1:8; I Peter 4:9; Hebrews 13:2; and Romans 12:13
Main Thought: Hospitality
Message: When you think of the word 'hospitality', what comes to mind? All the design shows on a certain channel, showcasing perfect home after perfect home? Or the magazines at the checkout counter plastered with perfect "easy" recipes? Do we think of it as a goal that seems impossible to fulfill? Hospitality is simply extending kindness, love and friendship to those around us. Many times it includes welcoming people into our home, but it is more than just opening our door and giving people something to eat. It is about creating an environment that is warm and welcoming. I feel that I have had two women in my life model hospitality from the heart. My mom is one of them and our pastor's wife from the church we served in when we lived in Albuquerque is the other. Both of these women know a thing or two about hospitality. It wasn't just about their amazing cooking and gorgeous decorating. although gifted in both areas, it was more about the way each of them makes us feel that impressed and blessed Adam and I the most.
I attended a Ladies Bible Study at our church during that time(early married) and Mrs. W spoke once about the subject of hospitality. I looked for the notes I had taken but sadly to no avail. However, between the things I learned from both my mom and Mrs W here are a few things that were impressed upon me about hospitality from the heart.
Hospitality comes from the heart! You don't have to be a world renowned chef or a
world-class decorator. Be yourself and extend Christ love to others.
Keep it simple! Less is more. Keep this in mind when planning-it helps keep you sane!
Don't apologize for the way your house might look if you have surprise guests! If you happen to have last minute guests or a friend that needs to talk-remember this-they are there to see YOU not to critique your housekeeping abilities. Just try to find a spot to visit and don't even apologize for any mess, that just brings more attention to it.
Let the guest be a guest! This is something very practical I learned by being a guest several times at Mrs W's house. When I would offer to help her with the dishes she would typically decline my offer. BUT, she put a priority on visiting. I would sit in the kitchen and visit with her while she cleaned and put things away. I remember her explaining to me that she had her system of doing things and that she knew where everything went anyway and she encouraged me to sit and visit with her. I do realize that this may very depending on who you are with. I myself have employed this method from time to time with no guilt at all.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are getting closer and some of us may be just starting to think about some of the details that go with the Holiday's. I would encourage you to start praying and asking the Lord to give you a fresh perspective on being hospitable if it seems to have become a chore. Or ask Him to develop a heart of hospitality if you are feeling like you lack in that area. Remember it is not a competition or for show it is about how you make other people feel.
Happy Hospitality,
Tiffany
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