Practice Hospitality

by Melissa Ringstaff, Director
What does hospitality mean to you? I am sure you have had the experience of visiting someone's home and feeling completely at ease… and you have probably had a not so wonderful experience of visiting someone's home and feeling… well, uncomfortable.

Hospitality is not about having a perfect house, fine china, being a gourmet cook, or even having the gift of gab. In fact those supposedly ideal gifts often make others feel stiff and uneasy. Hospitality is about sharing your home, a warm atmosphere, a friendly smile, a genuine meal, and making your guest feel at home.

We are commanded in the Bible to "practice hospitality without grudging." Jesus was a master at hospitality. He always found a way to make others feel loved. When he preached for long durations, he often requested food for the believers. Jesus knew that the basic needs of the people around him were important. That is the true spirit of hospitality.

Hospitality can be used as a ministry. When we pay attention to those around us, I mean really pay attention, we will begin to see past the polite smiles and the friendly handshakes. We will begin to see those around us that are lonely and hurting.

Throughout my life I have moved from place to place - too often. What has amazed me about people - nice, people; friendly people - is that they become so comfortable with their life, with their circle of friends, with their daily routine; that they never open up their lives to receive new friendships. We don't need to get so comfortable that we forget that there are newcomers in our community and even old timers who have no friends.

Jesus said, "When you put on a luncheon or a dinner, don't invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will repay you by inviting you back." (Luke 14: 12 NLT)

By opening up your home to others you give the Holy Spirit an opportunity to work through you, through your home to touch the lives of those who may not be so blessed to have a good family or good friends or a warm house. When you open up your circle of friends to include new faces, you are letting Christ's light shine through you. When you open up your daily routine to find new ways to be a good neighbor, you will find there are a lot of people that you never really saw and not only will they be blessed, but you will be blessed beyond belief!

Remember you don't have to have a 5 course meal prepared and presented on a fancy china laden table to practice the spirit of hospitality. You just need a friendly attitude and welcoming atmosphere in your home.