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Today at Faith Barista we are discussing the gift of hospitality.
The dictionary tells us that hospitality is—
I could go get my etiquette book by Emily Post and discuss with you the intricacies of how to show proper hospitality. (while being completely dignified and refined, of course) I also have a complete set of Southern Living books that show the most beautiful pictures of home decor and extravagant and mouth watering meals to prepare for ones guests.
Both of these books would do a fine job of showing me how to hold the correct dinner fork, have witty and interesting conversation with my guests, and how to decorate my house like it’s ready to be photographed for a magazine spread.
But, would I be showing real hospitality? Would my guests feel comfortable? Would they want to return to visit with me again?
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Tags: Christ, Christianity, Emily Post, God, Gospel of John, Hospitality, humble, Jesus, Love, New International Version, Religion and Spirituality, Son of God
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Thank-you for sharing these Bible verses. Hospitality is about loving others. Great post!
Write on! Thank you for the Bible verses. I love them, and you gave the context which is so meaningful. For me, I needed to know the reference, having forgotten. Going to write them down on a 3×5 card before I leave here.
Once in Sunday School I was reading aloud Romans 12:13 from my Urbana Bible, and it said, “Practice hospitality, practice hospitality,” so I just read it aloud and everyone laughed because of course theirs didn’t and yet they thought of me as already doing so and now they knew why!
I love hospitality. I am a mix of introvert/extrovert and have a quite introverted, professor husband who yet is a wonderful host. Thanks be to God!
I’d be more comfortable with beans and weanies.
But the right hosts can make me feel comfortable with anything. I want to be more that way myself. Thanks for your words of encouragement to keep at it!
Thank you so much for sharing this! Fantastic insight girl! Loved these words by YOU…
“If we are able to show hospitality to others, by loving them as Christ loves, I guarantee they will long to visit with you….and it wouldn’t matter if you had matching silver for your caviar or beans and weenies.”
Thought you might like this too…
What most of us need is a miracle—the miracle of a changed perspective. And that’s what real hospitality looks like. As women we are hungry to lead more beautiful lives and to share those lives with others . . . but we often feel inadequate, unprepared, or just too busy to do so. I want to invite you to rethink what it means to be hospitable: I call it “miraculous hospitality” which is really just about loving with your life.
It’s not “entertaining” . . . but providing a comfortable setting for people to enjoy and learn from one another.
Not showing off . . . but sharing life, embracing hospitality as a message you give other people about their value.
Not kitchen theatrics . . . but kitchen-based ministry, using food as a catalyst for community.
Not dinner parties and open houses . . . but mealtime communion and openhearted living.
Not house beautiful . . . but rejoicing in the beauty of shared meals and fellowship in a welcoming setting.
Not doing something unusual for “company,” but creating an everyday lifestyle that provides welcome to family, friends, strangers . . . and yourself.
And it’s not just for those with gorgeous homes, professional cooking skills, support staff on call, or special spiritual gifts. It’s the way God intended all of us to live . . . and what God calls, He enables!
Loving with your life, in other words, is always a matter of loving with your life right now, as you are right now. Each season may look different. But whatever season you’re in, you can find ways to make loving with your life uniquely yours.
God bless you girl! Tammy
One time, someone did invite me over — and yes, she served me weenies! You know, those little itty bitty ones?
I thought it was funny and we just laughed about it. And gobbled them up! Dawn, I love how you’re always making us feel so comfortable here. I love visiting with you!