Weekly Devotion: Hospitality
Happy autumn Sunday, friends! Thank you for joining me today for the Weekly Devotion: Hospitality.
Early in my relationship with the Lord, I did not realize that hospitality was a part of my service to Him…thus the reason for today’s devotion.
The official definition of “hospitality” is: “the friendly, generous reception and care of guests, visitors, and strangers.”
Hospitality should be practiced in our homes and businesses.
It is a way to serve our heavenly Father when he calls us to do so.
Let’s look closer.
WEEKLY DEVOTION: HOSPITALITY – WITH JOY
The key to practicing hospitality is to practice this with a joyful heart…no grumbling.
As a busy, overwhelmed young mom, when I was asked to open our home, I so often did it with grumbling.
God, forgive me, I wanted it to be perfect and it rarely was perfect enough for me to fling wide the doors with joy.
However, the few times I focused on the guests and not on the toys on the floor, those times others came into our home were amazing and joyous.
As the kids grew older, and I was able to manage better, we did have events in our home more often…in fact, I wanted more of them than we actually hosted.
Also, joy grows as we release these times to God and not try to control the imperfections.
So, God encourages us to listen to Him and to be hospitable when He asks…with joy and no grumbling (which can ruin the whole event for us!)
WEEKLY DEVOTION: HOSPITALITY – OPEN HOME, OPEN HEART
After two years, as I pray, God has asked me to reach out more to this new community…with hospitality.
Prior to this, my prayer has been for God to change hearts and have others reach out to me!
I waited for this to happen more, but now, He has clearly said…YOU open your heart and home, though you know few.
This weekend, I am opening my home to others…and there will be strangers I do not yet know. (I will share this with you on Tuesday)
My home will not be perfect! There are things I wish I could deal with, but there is no time to do this.
However, it will be cozy and warm and, hopefully, inviting. Autumn has been here since Friday…that’s close to perfect for me!
I am praying over the guests who will come into the home.
The Holy Spirit has been invited by me, in prayer, to fill my home and their hearts with God’s peace and joy.
Sometimes, hospitality requires that we step out of our comfort zones.
I encourage you to pray for opportunities to serve God with hospitality.
It only requires our willingness to be used by Him in this regard…He will take care of the rest…and our reward is JOY.
But, His Word does say to offer hospitality…and there are many ways to fulfill this, not just opening our homes.
Open our hearts, Lord.
Thank you for joining me today for the Weekly Devotion. I have prayed over everyone who joins me here.
And, I hope to see you tomorrow….until then…
EMBRACE TODAY & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
Thank you. I definitely needed this message today. It’s been a hard week. We lost our dear friend to his brief but courageous battle with Leukemia. He was the center of our friendship circle in our neighborhood the past 22 years, an ever-present figure in our lives. When we moved in June, we fully expected to enjoy many more visits and milestones ahead, even though it would take more planning.
My heart is full and glad, so grateful for the joy and friendship, but also aching with his loss, and the grief his wife feels.
It has been on my mind to invite our new neighbors for an evening to meet and mingle, to try and replicate some of what we enjoyed ‘back home.’ My to-do list, caring for my father, flitting back and forth to close his house, visit old friends…have all pushed making this effort at embracing potential new friends to the back burner.
I will make it happen, and do it with our dear friend in my heart. He loved meeting new people and a good party. He also especially enjoyed a good warm and toasty party dip and baguette. đ
Pam, I’ve said a prayer that the event in your home brings you joy and perhaps new friends. I understand the anxiety of opening our homes to strangers. I take part in a studio tour twice a year so our home is open for 2 days each time. My husband greets the guests in the living room where some of my art hangs and I am down in my studio with more art and demonstrations. It wasn’t easy for me as an introvert the first few times but I’ve learned to relax a bit and have met so many lovely people. Since my Mr. B can’t get out & about like he used to its a joy for him as he is quite social. I’ve learned I’m the only one who notices the things I wish I could change.
Hi Connie, I am so sorry about the loss of your friend. Though my dearest friends are still alive, I rarely see them anymore and it is also a type of grief, so I do know how difficult it must be to say a final goodbye. I think an evening to great your new neighbors is a great idea and this time of year, there are many occasions to do that. But, allow yourself time…no need to rush it too quickly.
I would love to see some of your art, Kathie! Thank. you for the encouragement…it has been such a wonderful experience this weekend. I will share the event on Tuesday.
Pam, you give soooooo much to your family and friends you are a gem. To entertain is a gift of time, thought, lots of prep time and so much more. Joyful heart and lots of love. Being perfection driven I get you, I will always be âa perfectionist recovery.â Just either myself not to expect this from others.
Happy week to come. Hope you are feeling well.
I look forward to hearing about your gathering. I love having guests but will admit the preparation makes me very anxious. Iâll be excited for the ideas you share.
Your post is very timely. I just saw an article this week saying that people are having far fewer people into their homes than in the past. I think that sounds sad. Itâs no wonder that loneliness is so widespread.
Another wonderful message about the spirit and generous heart we are to have towards all. Perhaps we cannot entertain as some do, but opening our homes to those who might be lonely or even just alone is a great thing to do. This is not easy for me to do. But you have given me a great deal of food for thought. I hope I can be or become more hospitable.
Thank you!
Mary
Having people over, even my own family, is a cause of anxiety for me. More so as I age. I am not sure why. It seems so disruptive somehow. Plus I just donât have the energy anymore. Not sure what I should do about this. I also feel that at some point, the younger generation needs to âtake overâ a bit as parents age, especially at Holidays. There at times I feel taken for granted. I raised four children who turned out very well and have many grandchildren. I buy each family a Xmas gift every year and a birthday gift for every grandchild. At Thanksgiving and Christmas my husband and I often fend for ourselves. So the hospitality concept falls a little flat.
Pamela, the word you received from the Lord really spoke to my heart. I am going to take it as mine, & I know you wonât mind. Thank you for sharing your experience & for your wise advice. Have a wonderful day!
Debra, I am going to write about it tomorrow, but listening to His advice and acting on it was amazing!