In last week’s post, I shared the dictionary.com definition for hospitality: “the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, and generous way.” The post described what hospitality is not and what it is. But there’s more to hospitality than knowing how to define it.
Hospitality doesn’t just happen. It is a choice, and it is an action!
Hospitality is a choice to prepare yourself, your home, your budget, and your pantry. It is the determination to put that choice into action. So, how do we prepare ourselves to be hospitable?
#1 – Recognize that hospitality is a scriptural command.
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,
for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2
Yes, I know that this verse says “strangers” not guests. I’m not a theological scholar but I would suggest that “strangers” refer to those we may or may not know; they simply are not a part of our current social circle. It is easy to assume that the couple sitting across the church from you have their own social circle and don’t need to be included in yours, but do you really know that? Could they be the strangers to whom you should be showing hospitality?
#2 – Choose to be obedient to that scriptural command.
I am not going to tell you that it is sin to not have guests into your home, but I am going to say that you may be missing out on a blessing that can only be experienced through hospitality. Think about a time when you were the “new kid on the block” or the “outsider looking in.” Did someone reach out to you and invite you to be part of the group? Did they receive you in a warm, friendly, and generous manner? Genuinely giving someone the gift of belonging for an evening, a day, or a lifetime expands the borders of our hearts and lives. It opens us up to accept more people into our lives, and it allows us to bless and be blessed.
#3 – Put yourself in a position to be hospitable.
Remember that couple I mentioned above? Make a point of introducing yourself and getting acquainted. It is difficult to issue an invitation if you never talk to people. Show yourself friendly if you want to make friends.
#4 – Don’t approach hospitality like the Lone Ranger!
When we were young newlyweds, we didn’t start out with a circle of married friends. It took being willing to extend ourselves to others and be friendly. We were involved in leadership in the children’s programs at our church and became acquainted with three other couples in leadership that were also newlyweds. We invited them over for an evening of potluck dinner and games. Over the next several months, the potluck dinner rotated through each of our homes and began to expand to other couples. When new couples would join our Young Marrieds Sunday School class, we would invite them to a potluck dinner. Some joined the group and others decided it wasn’t their thing, but we extended ourselves in friendly and generous warmth. Those potlucks led to summer camping trips, baby showers, and picnics. We moved away about three years after the group was established but still consider those couples some of our dearest friends.
Each time we moved and began to attend a new church, we chose to practice hospitality even though we were the “strangers.” We found couples we had a common bond with and started a potluck group. That potluck group reached out as new couples and families came to our church. That group eventually quit gathering because our common interests changed but we still treasure those friendships. We are still part of a “small group” that we were invited to as the “strangers” nearly twenty years ago.
So have you had personal adventures into hospitality? Were you the hospitable one extending warm and friendly generosity or were you the stranger receiving it? I would love to hear your stories.
Do you want to practice hospitality in your home? Start by preparing yourself and choosing to be hospitable.
Next week, we will venture into preparing our homes for hospitality. Until them, I feel blessed to share my heart 4 home!
