Old-Fashioned Hospitality

Picture in your mind two neighbors talking over a fence and one inviting the other over for some tea. 

Or a neighbor stopping by right around lunch who in invited in and an extra plate is served. 

Imagine a wife who plans and freezes food ahead of time to pull out for unexpected guests.

Or for their weekly family Sunday fellowship of a special family that they chose and extended an invitation to. 

Think of a father who plans ahead of sharing his testimony or the Gospel in the dining room to a full table during a meal. 

Old-fashioned hospitality can be a blessing because:

1. It welcomes in the friend {and stranger}.

2. It can strengthen the church.

3. It shares the LOVE of God.

4. It opens the door for the Gospel. 

5. It blesses the family to bless and fellowship with others. 

We currently have three foreign exchange students that we have been assigned to for a year through our church. The past few months have been such a wonderful learning experience for us and our whole family. We've had great fun together as we have learned more about each other.  Learning a new culture and learning to communicate has been worth it to share our lives with these new friends. It can also give us a deeper look into what is in our hearts. 

I have also been making a bigger effort to have our children's friends over who are mostly teens and young adults. I am grateful that they have a safe place to be where I know that I can oversee them and pray for them. It has been a wonderful time sharing our home with them and I hope for many more!

I was not good at this when I was younger but I learned along the way. In fact, I am still learning!

There were times when I was sick and couldn't but that was okay because there are different season for things, and He guides us to where we need to be and what we need to do. 

There are many ways to show love to people and one of them in inviting them into your life and your home.

It doesn't have to be fancy--just opening your door is the first part. Sometimes a humble peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a listening ear can mean the world to someone you welcome in. 

I hope you will pray about opening your home and showing the love of God to a world that desperately needs it. 

Bake some bread. 

Pour some tea.

Put on a smile.

And pull up a chair. 

That's all you need.