Practicing Hospitality

"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." I Peter 4:9
"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality" Romans 12:13

Recently, I have been reading about hospitality on a blog that I follow. I must say - hospitality is NOT one of the spiritual gifts that I have. However, as I read and learn more about hospitality I am discovering that it isn't "optional" or something we are to do only when it is "convenient" or "fits into our schedule." As the two verses above suggest - it is a command, we are to practice it and to do it without grumbling.

The Lord has really been stretching me and convicting me about this issue the past couple weeks. I am fine with inviting people I am close to over when I feel like it - but what about people I don't know well or don't really click with and what about at times when I am busy or would rather do other things? What am I to do at those times? I am to PRACTICE HOSPITALITY...

So, then comes the question of what does hospitality look like? I can't say that I have done extensive research or anything - I am only going to share what the Lord has been revealing TO ME in the area of hospitality:

1. Open your home! I must say with 4 kids, a busy schedule, ministry, etc my home has become my "retreat" or place where I can get away. I also must confess that I hesitate to invite people over because that would mean that I would actually have to cook and clean - two things of which I do NOT enjoy! Yet - God has been calling me to this - to invite others over regardless of the mood in which I may be in, regardless of my insecurity and lack of enjoyment in cooking.

2. Reach out to those who you normally wouldn't socialize with. There are many that I see on Sunday morning or around town that I don't think about inviting over. Yet, these are the ones that God has laid on my heart to invite over to my home.

3. Give of the resources I have been given in regards to food. This one is hard for me! I don't enjoy cooking for myself much less for anyone else. However, within the past two months the Lord has called me to not only organize meals for new moms - He has had me PREPARE meals for them! It hasn't been on my time table either (since when do babies come on our time table). Yet I have felt led to stretch myself in this area.

4. Look for opportunities to serve others through hospitality. Normally, this would not be an area in which I would look to serve others - again God is calling me to this regardless of my comfort in it. So, I have talked to Joel and shared all this with him and told him that we will be inviting people over more just because God is calling me to do this!

I am not blogging about this to say that it is something anyone but myself needs to work on. I am sharing it in a way in which I can ask for prayer and accountability in. Of course, I am HOPING that I am not alone in struggling in this area. Perhaps there are others like me who have fallen into the trap of only practicing hospitality when it is convenient - if so, I pray that you will find encouragement in knowing you aren't alone and we can grow in this area together!