All month I have been talking about hospitality and how its purpose is to bless others. And now, all of a sudden, on Day 30, I am going to tell you that YOU can be blessed by extending hospitality!
It's true, you know.
Our primary reason to practice hospitality is because the Word of God directs it, as we have seen ~here~ and ~here~ and ~here~ and ~here~. But there are real benefits to be had by opening up our homes to others.
Memories are made.
Oh, the memories! Holiday memories. Birthday memories. Memories with grandparents. Memories of growing children. Memories of growing friendships. Memories of time well spent.
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| Gampy with great-grandchildren and a grandchild |
Relationships are solidified.
There is something about inviting someone into your home--breaking bread together, sharing where you live, spending time together --that makes relationships more intimate. I have experienced this in multiple ways, getting to know people on a different level than when you just meet out and about. Hearing their stories, seeing their interactions with one another, discovering their passions...
For six years, when my older two children were teenagers, we hosted a homeschool writing club in our home. The purpose was twofold. I wanted my high schoolers to improve their writing skills and gain experience by writing for a wider audience than Mom. Secondly, but perhaps more importantly, my husband and I wanted to provide a place for our kids to develop friendships with other homeschooled kids.
And all of these years later, many of those "kids" have enduring relationships with one another. They are adults now, many with families of their own, scattered geographically, but they remain involved in one another's lives and are the richer for it.
For six years, when my older two children were teenagers, we hosted a homeschool writing club in our home. The purpose was twofold. I wanted my high schoolers to improve their writing skills and gain experience by writing for a wider audience than Mom. Secondly, but perhaps more importantly, my husband and I wanted to provide a place for our kids to develop friendships with other homeschooled kids.
And all of these years later, many of those "kids" have enduring relationships with one another. They are adults now, many with families of their own, scattered geographically, but they remain involved in one another's lives and are the richer for it.
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| Josh, Ryan, Scott, and Joe at Ryan's wedding in 2005 |
Christian fellowship is enjoyed.
Time spent with fellow believers pays rich dividends. Aren't believers to "consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works?" And to "assemble" and "exhort one another...more as ye see the day approaching?" (Hebrews 10:24, 25) I am certain that those verses refer to meeting for worship and edification, but I think that they can also apply to sharing coffee and a slice of pie and talking about the Lord. Encouraging, sharing, spending time side by side, the fellowship of believers is like no other.
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| fellowship |
Projects are completed.
Nothing spiritual here. Just real life stuff.
Sometimes having guests gives us the impetus to get that room painted or the windows washed or (don't look at me) the refrigerator cleaned out! (Oh, how embarrassing!) Ron has remarked from time to time, "It's a good thing to have people over now and then. Sometimes it's the only way we get things done."
Sometimes having guests gives us the impetus to get that room painted or the windows washed or (don't look at me) the refrigerator cleaned out! (Oh, how embarrassing!) Ron has remarked from time to time, "It's a good thing to have people over now and then. Sometimes it's the only way we get things done."
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| my window partner |
No, we don't show hospitality so that we can be blessed. But we end up being blessed anyway!
Have you received benefits by opening your home?
I am laughing here because of your final point. So true! And I have a photo of John taken last Saturday waiting in the wings for posting that is the bookend to your husband's window washing. Too funny.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I like is the way you have taken photos of what's really going on...the unscripted bits...the candid shots as your father interacting with his grand and greats and the men talking at your table about something pretty interesting.
Good points you have made all. I always feel enriched and blessed (okay, exhausted, too) by having had company.
The blessings are so many that our lives are the richer for doing it!
ReplyDeleteWe have had the blessing of introducing our friends from differing social circles to one another and seeing friendships develop. We've had the blessing of seeing older singles become a part of the family. We have been blessed to hear after the fact how being invited to dinner was such a blessing.
So many examples - It is exhausting work sometimes, though often it energizes me, but what we get out of it is so worth it!
Deanna
It is a lot of work, but the reward is greater!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, this has been such a wonderful series! After this week, I'm going to go back and re-read all your posts so I can really absorb them. It has been a real blessing!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at the "Projects are Completed" point also! I think we need to schedule at least one major event per year so a few of those unfinished things get finished! :-D
It's fun to see your hubby and my hubby chatting together... I don't think there was ANY conversation lulls that night! :-D
Kim :-)
Make that "there WERE any"...
ReplyDelete*Grammar fix*
:-D