Sept. 15, 2007 - Hospitality. How'd I Do?

I first posted this here.

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REPOST FROM HOSPITALITY - - - - - - How can I help? Without stretching myself and my funds? Well, why does being hospitable have to be costly? It doesn't and I think that is something that we have to get our heads around. A cup of coffee or tea. Bread and butter. With warm conversation and laughter and children. That is all it takes. (With or without children)

So this is my plan, my proposal. Have someone over. Once a week. Just for a visit. For some company. To be a friend - a listening ear, a shoulder, a friend to laugh with. That's on the small scale.

I did it!!! We had guests this week! On Sunday and Wednesday.

On Sunday, we had a couple of financial planners come for a follow up meeting. I like visiting with these gentlemen. The one is an old friend from when we were growing up. We laugh and talk and the visit is generally short as they have a long drive to come see us.

Then later that afternoon we had a party! A surprise party for the pastor of our church as it was his birthday this week! So we opened our home to about 25 people. They brought their own meat and snacks to share. We borrowed tables and chairs from the church and cleared out out large living space. (We live in an old church and the sanctuary is our main space.)

After supper and cake we had a time of blessing our dear pastor. Such an uplifting and encouraging time. I loved to see the love and the family qualities this church has. We are so welcomed (the newest attendees I think) and are already feeling at home there. The members at the party blessed the pastor's coming year with specifics.

On Wednesday, my husband's co-worker stopped by to chat while his family was busy at the library. Having never met his wife, I suggested that he go get them and that they come over for a visit (they are very new to the community and know no one really and live in an RV). So a few minutes later they came with their four children! We chatted about homeschooling and parenting and our lives a little.

I thought to myself, what do I have for supper that we could make for us all? Well, I invited them to stay and they accepted! We pulled out the borrowed tables and chairs and ate together. Then they pitched in and cleared away all the food and did the dishes and wiped tables and cleaned up the toys! What a blessing to me and my family. They left my home cleaner than when they arrived.

It was tiring for me because I don't like to have a lot of people around for a long period of time but at the same time it was refreshing and energizing. I don't know if that makes sense but that's just the way it was.

We've sent an invite out for a time of games this evening too. I'm learning to like having people around! I'm glad that I'm giving it a shot. The people of God need to be together to encourage one another, learn from one another and teach one another.

This coming week we are so excited to have family coming for the week. My husband's parents will be here! We haven't seen them in about a year and a half. They've never met our baby. We are very excited. Oops, I said that already! So, my hospitality will be tested and used again! My inlaws are so helpful when they are here.