You can listen to this post here on Refresh Her podcast.
When it comes to hospitality, Southerners may think they have a corner on the market, but just what is it, really?
Hospitality – Using what I have with a loving, generous spirit to point another person to our generous God.
The focus is Christ – not me, not my cooking, not my home.
We usually think of hospitality as having someone in our home for a meal, but it can take on many forms. While I have appreciated the hospitality of many when they invited us over for fellowship, I’m fairly certain that the times when we were “needy” and we were served by others has been the times that touched my heart the deepest.
I’m thinking about a time when my husband had emergency retina surgery.
While I did do some cooking during that trial, my kitchen had several “carry-in” dishes that week.
As I’ve reflected on the huge blessing these meals were to me, I thought it might be an encouragement to others to hear some of the loving gestures that have been such a help to us. Why? Scripture says,
In Matthew 25 – Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, ‘Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I hungered, and ye gave Me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in; naked, and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me; I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.’ Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when saw we Thee hungering and fed Thee, or thirsty and gave Thee drink? 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.’
Let me give you a peek into the blessings and refreshment that others have brought to our kitchen.
At the beginning of my husband’s surgery I thought we’d have no trouble with having meals at home. My husband was the one having surgery – not me! Why would we need a meal prepared for us? I found out the first day that finding the time to plan, prepare and serve a meal was nearly impossible.
My husband’s needs were so pressing. The phone was busy with calls and texts. There was getting him settled and resting. Then the run to the pharmacy. Days were also busy because I was adding the things he normally does – things around the house and outside in the yard as well, plus little ministry tasks that needed attention. So, a meal coming in already prepared was a wonderful blessing to him, but also to me!
- Make a suggestion...I could bring you chili or Meatloaf. Which would be better? When someone called and said, “I’m fixing ___________ for your meal. Would that be okay?” It took the pressure off of me to tell them what to prepare.
- Consider other meals like breakfast and lunch, and make enough to stretch for two or three days.
- Bring something that can be frozen for another day. One friend brought an extra chicken pot pie for another day!
- Make a sweet bread that can be used for breakfast or for a snack in the middle of the day.
- Bring something they can share with others. Someone brought a one layer square cake that was a blessing to have when we received company from out of town. We got to be hospitable, due to their thoughtfulness.
I have learned many things already in that trial, but this one is so practical. Do something. Don’t just think about it, wonder or ask “what you can do.” Think of something and do it.
I know firsthand how much it means to be thought of, but also the tremendous need there is especially in regards to food – it’s kind of an important element of each day! Providing a meal is even helping in the healing process…bodies are healed, and so are spirits!
To whom might you take a meal?
- A family who is getting ready to move.
- A new family who just moved in…a new neighbor, family at church, someone in your homeschool group.
- Any family dealing with a sick loved one in their home or at the hospital. Schedules are totally thrown off.
- When someone has been away for a week.
Do it for the Gospel’s sake. If you want a good book that will encourage you about this kind of hospitality, and also inviting people into your home, I’d so encourage you to read, Hospitality comes with a house key, by Rosaria Butterfield
Look for ways to be a refreshment by showing biblical hospitality,
RefreshHer 