How to Show Others Love Through Genuine Hospitality
What is hospitality? Here is how I would define it:
Hospitality is opening your home to others and making them feel loved, valued and cared for while they are there.
But, somehow, we have gotten to a point where we don’t invite others into our homes because we worry too much about having everything perfect.
Don’t get me wrong- I love setting a pretty table and making food for others. Doing that really brings me joy!
But truly, some of my favorite memories with dear friends and family have happened over pizza or take out!
Getting to know the people around your table or in your living room, making memories that last, and truly seeing others is the aim. So how do we show others love through genuine hospitality?
Fully Known and Fully Loved
One of my favorite tag lines from Young Life is that in Jesus we are fully known (the good, bad and ugly!) and yet fully loved.
Let’s just stop for a minute to process that amazing truth!!! WOW!! Jesus FULLY knows us. AND fully loves us!
Well, I want to live my life that way. I want to see people who are made in God’s image. Where I try (even though I know I’ll fail) to love others like Jesus loves them. We all have an opportunity to do that when we invite others into our home.
The Dish I Burned
The last brunch I hosted, I burned the bottom of one of the dishes. The funny part is I didn’t even know until everyone left because I have to eat gluten free and that dish wasn’t GF.
At first I felt frustrated about the burned dish. It’s everyone’s favorite! Then I thought- you know what? The ladies in our home got to know each other. We had an opportunity to sit and visit and just enjoy each other’s company. The food wasn’t the most important thing. The PEOPLE were the most important thing.
What Hospitality Isn’t
Hospitality is not the same as entertaining. Entertaining revolves around the pretty table, clean house, yummy meal, etc. It’s more hostess centric.
"Hospitality is more about caring for the people in your home than having the perfect home."
So, if you don’t love cooking or setting the table don’t worry!!
People just want to be with you. They want to be invited and part of a community. That’s how we show others love through genuine hospitality- just invite them into your home and life!
Unfortunately, we all became a little too isolated during the initial Covid lockdown. It was easy to stay home and that even became our new normal.
But that’s not how God intended us to live. God made us to live in community. He made us to share joys and sorrows. We aren’t intended to walk through life alone.
What Hospitality Is
So that brings me back to hospitality.
Hospitality is all about inviting others into your home so that you can enjoy each other’s company and do life together. We can show people love through listening to them and getting to know their story. It’s not about having everything perfect.
Whether it’s a pot luck, take out, Pizza Hut or a home cooked meal truly doesn’t matter!!
I hope this encourages you to host a gathering soon. What neighbors do you want to get to know? What friend(s) have you missed seeing? Is there someone you work with that you really enjoy?
If you do want to cook, here are a few easy recipes you can make ahead that everyone will enjoy!
Invite them over and practice true hospitality in your home. You will be blessed and so will the friends you invite!
Grateful for you,
Julie
You always do a great job of making everyone feel welcome and loved in your home!