The Art of Hospitality

These past two weeks have been great! We have had a LOT of people to stay in our home: a dear pastor friend, a friend from our home church, and a young college student.

We try to have someone over from our church once a month for a meal. I love being hospitable!! Don't you? So many are afraid to open up their homes because they have a false idea of what being hospitable should be. Do you have a spare room or a spare bed? Or even a comfy couch? Then you can be hospitable! Your guest only needs a comfortable place to sleep, clean sheets, warm food and drink and a smile!

I used to think, "Oh, my house isn't nice enough or we have too many kids, or we don't have a private bathroom for a guest." A million excuses went through my head whenever someone needed a place to stay. But after studying what it truly meant to be hospitable, it surely changed my thinking. Did you know that the Bible talks a lot about hospitality?

Hebrews 13:2..."Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

2 Kings 4:10..."Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither."

Matthew 25:38-40..."When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

We surely minister to people when you have them in your home to stay or for a meal. We have one young couple from our church who we have over on a regular basis for a meal. The husband comes into our home, takes his shoes off, browses my book shelves, and relaxes on my couch. He feels very much at home at our house! What an opportunity we have to minister to people through opening our homes.

Forget the false ideas of having the perfect set up for guests. A sofa that pulls out to a bed, one set of decent towels (mine were given to me) that are only used for company, some recipes for meals that are easy to make, but delicious (lasagna is my standby), and just be ready for guests! Be always on the lookout for things you can add to your home to improve your effectiveness for being hospitable! An interesing tray with coffee, tea, come cakes or cookies and some friendly conversation go a long way in making someone feel welcome. You can make someone feel special just by bringing in a tray laden with hot coffee or tea. Even folks we have around a lot are so impressed with a "tea tray". It doesn't take much effort and even the kids can help and learn themselves to be hospitable.

Don't be afraid to open your home. There are so many blessings and friendships waiting to be had by being hospitable!