June 12, 2024 • 47 mins
In this episode, we discuss the theology behind biblical hospitality and explore practical ways to implement it in our daily lives. True hospitality is not about having a spotless home or serving gourmet meals; it's about building relationships and making others feel welcome and loved, always pointing them to Christ. By keeping hospitality simple and focusing on people over details, we allow genuine relationships to develop.
Christian hospitality is a lifestyle, not just a special occasion. It's about serving others sacrificially, even when it's inconvenient. We'll discuss the importance of hospitality in the Christian life and walk through some practical tips for involving our children. Plus, I'll share some simple ideas to keep gatherings stress-free and enjoyable. Join us as we embrace the heart of biblical hospitality together.
Head over to ThankfulHomemaker.com for full show notes on all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode.
RESOURCES:
Join Thankful Homemaker for access to the Free Library of Resources
Follow ThankfulHomemaker on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest & Instagram
Join the Thankful Homemaker Facebook Group
Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Music.
(00:06):
Welcome to the Thankful Homemaker podcast, a podcast to be an encouragement
and blessing to each other in the role God has called us to as women.
I'm so thankful you've stopped by, so grab yourself a coffee or tea and sit
with me a bit as we talk about how God's Word impacts every area of our lives as Christian women.
Hello, friend. I'm Marci Farrell
(00:27):
from Thankful Homemaker, and I'm so glad you're here with me today.
So whether you've been here with me a bit listening in or you're tuning in for
the first time, I'm so grateful that you've chosen to spend a few moments of your busy day with me.
And if you are new here, I want to extend a special welcome to you and let you
(00:47):
know there are so many resources over at the blog at thankfulhomemaker.com to
encourage you in your role as a Christian homemaker.
So I hope that you'll take a moment and pop over and spend a bit of time there when you get a chance.
So we are on episode 161 today, and it's titled Opening Hearts and Homes,
The Transformative Power of Biblical Hospitality.
(01:09):
And today, we're going to dive into the topic of biblical hospitality.
We're going to dig into the scriptures, so we're going to look a bit about the theology.
We're going to get practical and get some practical aspects of hospitality,
even some helps with bringing our children into it, and reminding ourselves
that it's a command and it's not an option for believers.
(01:31):
Our goal is to honor God by obeying his command to contribute to the needs of
the saints and seek to show hospitality.
We aim to love one another within the body of Christ and extend God's love to
both strangers and friends.
And referencing both there, Romans 12, 13 and Hebrews 13, 2.
So I've utilized quite a plethora of resources in working through today's episode,
(01:55):
and I will list them all in the show notes.
They may go in their own special blog post, even. I'm not sure what I'm doing with that yet.
But Alexander Strauch, who wrote a favorite book of mine, it's titled,
it's probably the first book I ever read on hospitality.
It was called The Hospitality Commands, Building Loving Christian Community.
He shared a quote that I want to open our time with today. He said.
(02:46):
Characteristic of Christian love than hospitality. Through the Ministry of Hospitality,
we share the things we value most—family, home, financial resources,
food, privacy, and time.
In other words, we share our lives.
That just, that kind of sums it up all right there, but we're going to work
through this a little bit here today.
(03:08):
So when we open our homes to others, it is going to cost us.
It's going to cost us time and service and sacrifice.
Our lives are all busy. I get it. And in the midst of a tiring day,
the thought of having company can just, it can seem overwhelming.
We sometimes just don't feel like being around other people and we want to just
(03:29):
have a quiet evening at home.
We can tend to focus on the difficulties of being hospitable.
It takes time and work to tidy the house and cook a meal and plan for it and
shop for it. It costs financial parts to do that even, right?
As Alexander Strauch said, we worry too much about what others will think,
(03:49):
or we just enjoy our privacy too much.
I'm going to say this, and I'm saying this about myself. Being naturally selfish
people, we tend to focus on ourselves.
And if we're truly honest, we like our time and space. But true biblical hospitality,
it is God-centered and other-centered.
(04:10):
It reflects the love of Christ by opening our hearts and homes to serve and
bless others, all for the glory of God.
There are many verses in God's Word that command us to practice hospitality.
But true biblical hospitality can only be practiced through the power of God's
Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. So as Christians...
(04:34):
We're reminded in Ephesians 2.10 that we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works.
When we show hospitality, we're reflecting Christ's love and compassion,
not just to fellow believers, but to the stranger and those in need.
Proverbs 14.31 and Proverbs 19.17 remind us that we honor God by being kind to the needy.
(04:58):
And Jesus, again, he emphasized this in Luke 14.13, where he tells us,
when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame,
the blind, and you will be blessed.
And then Jesus also taught us over in Matthew 22, 39, to love your neighbor as yourself.
And the parable of the Good Samaritan, it shows us that our neighbor,
(05:19):
it's not just defined by where we live, like the proximity or our nationality
or our race, but wherever and whenever.
I should say, people need us, that's where we can be neighbors.
And then like Christ, we show mercy. And that is what true hospitality is all about.
And it's not just merely this nice gesture, but it's a command from God.
(05:45):
The Bible is filled with instructions to practice hospitality,
emphasizing the significance of it in our walk as believers.
So I want to walk through a few passages together.
So Romans 12.13 tells us, "...contribute to the needs of the saints and seek
to show hospitality," and the NASB states it as "...contributing to the needs of the saints.".
(06:07):
And practicing hospitality. So we're to love and we're to care for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The needs of the church are met through our care for one another.
Our faith should be a lifestyle of sharing where we carry each other's burdens
and we rejoice in each other's blessings.
That's what it means to be a family of Christ. We look out for one another.
(06:28):
The word for hospitality in Romans 12, 13, it means stranger loving.
And practice there in that verse.
It means to be actively seeking out those in need.
It means that we don't wait for someone to come knock on our door,
but we go out and we pursue the stranger in need.
And Hebrews 13 too tells us not to neglect to show hospitality to strangers
(06:53):
for some have entertained angels without knowing it.
So as we open our homes, we're not to do it with the hopes that we are entertaining an angel, right?
But it's to remind us to offer cheerful hospitality, being reminded here,
as one commentator stated it, that we only observe the outside service of those we receive.
(07:13):
More lies beneath than what we can see.
So when we open our homes to believers, that's a way that we can share in our
lives together, and we can encourage each other, and we can build one another up in the faith.
And our time together should be spent in praying for one another,
sharing what the Lord is doing in our lives.
My favorite is how we can share testimonies of how the Lord opened our eyes
(07:37):
to the wonderful saving gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
I love hearing how others came to faith, how they came to know Jesus.
Our closest relationships with others has come about because we spend time with
each other and in each other's homes and lives.
It becomes then just a relaxed atmosphere where we can share our cares and our
prayer requests and our gratefulness, the areas that we need help in,
(07:59):
whatever that might be, or in all the Lord has done and continues to do in our lives.
And in opening our homes to our neighbors and friends around us who don't know
the Lord, our homes should be a testimony of love, of the love of Christ in our lives.
Because so many have come to know the Lord through open homes and open hearts,
sharing the gospel and sharing the love of Christ with others.
(08:22):
William Barclay stated it. He said, A home can never be happy when it is selfish.
Christianity is the religion of the open hand, the open heart, and the open door.
And one commentator states it, and this is so true. He said,
We must will to be hospitable.
It doesn't always come naturally to us, right? I know it's It's a work of the
(08:44):
Spirit in us, but we need to will, and we need to pray about it, and we need to act on it.
James 2, 14 to 17 reminds us of our care and concern for others,
that it's going to show itself in practical deeds.
It states there, what good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith
but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
(09:04):
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
and one of you says says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled,
without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
So, hospitality is also a qualification for elders, that's from 1 Timothy 3.2,
(09:28):
and for widows to be cared for financially and honored, that's 1 Timothy 5.9-10.
We see the importance the Lord places on showing hospitality to both believers
and non-believers, demonstrating love and kindness and reflecting God's character.
And one verse I want to walk through just a little bit more here is 1 Peter 4.9.
It tells us to show hospitality without grumbling. How did the Lord know that
(09:52):
we would grumble about it?
So 1 Peter 4, 7-10 tells us, The end of all things is at hand.
Therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift,
(10:14):
use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace.
So in these verses, Peter is instructing believers in how to live in the last days.
He tells them these certain things that should be evident in their lives.
He states in verse 7 to be self-controlled and sober-minded.
In verse 8, he says to show sincere love. And in verse 9, he says to show hospitality.
(10:40):
In verse 10, to serve one another. There's an awful lot in these verses and
the ones preceding it, but we're just going to focus in here on 4-9.
And one way that we show our sincere love for one another is it's going to be
evident by serving one another and showing hospitality with thankful and joyful hearts.
Because if we're grumbling and complaining, first of all, we're not showing
(11:04):
a sincere love for one another, but we also need a heart and motives check there.
A commentary I was reading when I was working through this verse,
it shared this quote that the commentator shared this quote that he had from
a dear friend of his on hospitality.
And I want to read it. It's just, I really, I really appreciated it.
(11:24):
This friend of the commentator said, the key with hospitality is to begin.
It doesn't matter if you live in an apartment, a dorm, or a house.
Once a week, opening our home, baking a few cookies, saying hello in the elevator,
checking up on an older neighbor and borrowing sugar from the next apartment.
Yes, the city is a place of isolation, but it may be that through our doors, all kinds will come.
(11:48):
One who is hungry, an intellectual questioning, a colleague in crisis,
a student from a far off land.
It may be that God's new people from the nations will sit around our table.
It may be that having a shared meal and having tasted of Christ,
their own table will be open for the gospel in a country we would never reach.
He says, hospitality is not something we do overly pragmatically.
(12:12):
We do not practice hospitality to, quote, get conversions.
We practice hospitality because it is right. We practice hospitality because we are God's people.
We share God's goodness through our home because God has shown his goodness to us.
His grace overflows the threshold of our homes, end quote there.
And Erwin Lutzer stated, he said, hospitality is a test for godliness because
(12:35):
those who are selfish selfish, do not like strangers, especially needy ones,
to intrude upon their private lives.
They prefer their own friends who share their lifestyle.
Only the humble have the necessary resources to give of themselves to those
who could never give of themselves in return.
Okay, those are both ouch ones, and I feel like I probably needed that little
kick in both of those. So you're getting that with me.
(12:58):
I appreciate getting to do that with you. I'm sure you just love me for it.
But my dear friend our homes they're to be open doors to others in need they're
to be places of christian welcome
and love and it does take work but god will equip us to do that work.
And hospitality is for everyone. There's no excuses here, okay?
I want to remove any reasons why we might think that we're exempt from this command.
(13:22):
I know there's maybe some people who have the gift of hospitality,
but all believers are called to be hospitable.
It's a way to love and serve others and reflect Christ's love.
Romans 12, 13, and 1 Peter 4, 9, they both emphasize that hospitality is for
all Christians, not just a select few. you.
It's a duty for all believers, regardless of life circumstances or seasons of life.
(13:43):
And we're going to get to some practical things and we're going to see how this
can all work too, as we get a little further into this episode.
Hebrews 13 too, reminds us not to neglect showing hospitality to strangers.
So again, while some of us may be naturally gifted or really enjoy this,
right? We just thrive doing it.
No matter our season of life or the circumstances, if you are in Christ,
(14:06):
you're called to be hospitable.
This is going to look different. I get it, depending on our circumstances.
And there's not just this one way to do it.
But biblical hospitality is a way we demonstrate love, serve others,
and we're reflecting the love of Christ that's been shown to us.
And it's also, it's about relationships, not perfection.
Because true hospitality, I want to get some of this out of the way before we get to the practical.
(14:30):
So true hospitality, it's not about having this perfectly clean home or serving gourmet meals.
It's about building relationships and making others feel welcome and loved.
And our hope is to always point others to Christ.
Keeping hospitality simple, it emphasizes the people over the details,
allowing genuine relationships to develop.
(14:51):
Too often, we can have a wrong picture of hospitality, and we need to be reminded
to keep it simple because it's more, again, about making others feel welcome.
It needs to be accessible to everyone. And there are so many ways it can be
practiced beyond just preparing a meal.
When we keep it simple, we keep the emphasis on where it truly belongs, on the people.
(15:15):
And then as we do this, it's going to allow for genuine relationships to develop.
And then it also encourages others to practice it in their own lives by our own simple example.
It's also a witness to the world, right? It's a powerful testament to nonbelievers.
It demonstrates Christ's love in action, and it also opened doors for us to share the gospel.
(15:38):
It can break down barriers and preconceptions about Christianity.
It can foster deeper conversations in a very comfortable home setting.
Setting, I think how often that it demonstrates the love of Christ in action,
and that's so important for us to remember.
And when we're doing that, we're exhibiting Christ's love in a very tangible
(15:59):
way, and it can have such a significant impact.
And often at times, it's that comfortable setting of our homes that just encourages
those deeper conversations to just naturally arise, whether it's over a shared
meal or a casual cup of coffee.
This relaxed, homey environment often makes it easy to tell others about the
(16:21):
work of the Lord in our lives and then leads to sharing the gospel with them.
We need to strive to extend hospitality beyond our immediate circle of friends
and family. I know this is an area I need to work on.
It is all too easy to gather only those people that we are most familiar with
at times, and there's nothing wrong with this, but we don't want it to be to
(16:43):
the exclusivity of not reaching out to others.
We need to pray about reaching out to people in our neighborhoods and workplaces
and various other places we frequent, and then just do it.
And when we do this, we can demonstrate Christ's love in practical ways.
So, and as we practice hospitality, we become those living testimonies of the
transformative power of God's work in our lives.
(17:06):
And hospitality, it requires sacrifice.
No matter what we do, right? Being hospitable, it's going to require sacrifice,
whether it's giving up of our time, our financial resources,
other resources, our comfort, whatever that might be.
But the rewards, they far outweigh the costs.
It's going to take time and planning and effort, but our reminder has to be,
(17:29):
friend, that no matter how much we sacrifice, it is never going to come close
to what Jesus sacrificed to be hospitable to us.
All, everything, think about it, all we have received is a gift from God. It's not ours.
And this reminds us to be faithful stewards of God's gifts. lives everything
we have our time our home and food it's on loan from jesus to be used for his
(17:51):
purposes and furthering his kingdom and for the good of others.
In biblical hospitality, it starts within the four walls of our own homes with our families.
I want to walk through a little bit how to involve our children.
And every time I do these lists, I always feel like I need to lay this out,
that these are not some exhaustive lists.
These are just ideas that are coming from me, things I've read,
(18:13):
things we've practiced in our home that I'm sharing with you.
So you probably have many more ideas.
And if you do have many more ideas, wherever you see this posted,
whether it's on my blog at thankfulhomemaker.com or if you're on a podcast app
or whatever that may be, please share your comments or on Facebook or Instagram.
Those are really the only two social accounts I'm on now. I do share on Pinterest,
(18:34):
but that's really not like Facebook or Instagram.
So share a comment if you see it there and post it of some ways you do this,
how you involve your family, your children, some practical tips.
I'm going to get to those two here, but right now I want to talk a little little
bit about involving our kiddos.
So it really begins by creating an environment of love and care and generosity right where we live.
(18:56):
So one of the things I think of first is practicing kindness and patience, right?
We need to show kindness and patience to each other daily in our homes, to our family.
Simple acts of love and understanding, they alone create a very welcoming atmosphere.
Share meals together. So make it a priority for your family to have meals together.
(19:17):
And use this time to connect and share and encourage each other.
It sets a foundation for extending hospitality to others.
It helps children to learn to communicate with others as you communicate different
conversations around the dinner table together.
Involve everyone, include your children in acts of hospitality,
let them help set the table, cook a meal, clean up, teaching them to serve others starts in the home.
(19:42):
I remember when my kiddos were younger and we would have Bible studies or things
here at the house, I had like this main checklist that we could all work through together.
So when it was time to help and get ready for our friends to come over for the
study or for the meal or whatever it was, we could work together,
and whether it's setting tables, setting chairs out, cleaning a bathroom,
(20:05):
that my kids could help do that.
And I really appreciated their help, and it really helped them to prepare them
for now in their lives as adults to welcome others into their home. So pray together.
Regularly pray together as a family. Pray for each other. Pray for those you
might invite in your home.
That That alone is a help and a good start.
(20:27):
Serve each other. I think about this in teaching our children to serve one another.
Look for ways to serve one another in just everyday tasks, right?
No matter how small these may be, they do build a habit of hospitality in your
home and within your family, which will go out from there. And then celebrate together.
Make sure you celebrate each other's achievements and milestones.
(20:49):
I think it's so fun and we look so forward to creating celebrations in our home,
whether it's birthdays or holidays or something that happened to someone.
And then that also helps your children to learn how to celebrate with others outside of your family.
This is another big one, to welcome guests together. So when you have guests
come in, involve your family in welcoming them.
(21:11):
Teach your children how to shake hands, how to look somebody in the eye,
how to talk to them, how they can hang up coats.
They can greet people. They can help people leave by getting their coats and
thank them for coming and saying goodbye.
And even your children, let them see and participate in the joy of you opening your home to others.
Because I think so often as parents, we forget, but one of the most effective
(21:34):
ways we can instill the importance of biblical hospitality in our children is as we lead by example.
Our children are watching us and they often mirror the behaviors they see in their parents.
And when they see us opening our homes and hearts in hospitality,
they're gonna learn the importance of this firsthand, right?
So a simple example, let them see you invite a new neighbor over for a meal
(21:57):
or offer your home as a meeting place for a church gathering.
Let them watch as you prepare for these occasions, not being all stressed out
or frustrated or, you know, frazzled or whatever that might be.
Again, Peter reminded us to offer hospitality without grumbling.
But again, that they would see you would do it with great joy and anticipation
and include them in the preparations as much as you can.
(22:20):
Allow them to take part in the act of hospitality.
As you lead by example, it's also important to communicate with your children
about why you're doing what you're doing, right?
Explain the biblical basis for it and how it's an expression of God's love.
Discuss the impact it can have both on you as a family and those friends that
(22:40):
you're welcoming into your home.
And in addition to that, I think about how to show that biblical hospitality,
it even goes beyond our homes, right?
They can be hospitable in every situation that, wherever they are,
at school, at church, on the playground, grown at a friend's house.
Every act of kindness, no matter how small, is a form of hospitality.
(23:03):
And above all, it's so important to remind your children and really yourself here.
That the goal of it, I keep saying biblical hospitality, it's quite a tongue
twister when you keep saying it, but the goal of biblical hospitality,
it's not to impress others, but to express love and care.
It's not about having this perfect home or the most delicious food.
(23:24):
But it's about, and we need to remind them because we need to model this,
it's about making others feel welcome and loved.
And we can teach our children that it's not just about what we do,
but about who we are as followers of Christ.
It becomes a lifestyle of love and generosity and kindness towards others.
It reflects the hospitality we've received from God.
(23:48):
So I come back again with them, just involve them in the preparation process,
right? Help them to prepare, set the table.
Again, teach them, work through some of the passages of the Bible with them
that talk about Christianity.
It's going to help them understand why it's important and how it reflects God's
love, and then model it to them.
Let them see you welcoming your guests with kindness and generosity.
(24:10):
That's a really powerful example for them to follow and encourage them to interact with guests.
Maybe you work through some questions together that they could ask others.
But again, just even the simple saying a hello and engaging in a general conversation,
it's going to help them develop social skills and comfort in welcoming others.
(24:31):
And then I think this is a big one sometimes we don't do and I wouldn't think
to do. And maybe you're doing this as you're cleaning up together.
That's another part of it, to let them help you clean up.
But discuss the experience afterward. After the guests have left,
talk about it with your kids, how they felt, what they learned.
This really allows them to reflect on the importance of hospitality and its impact.
(24:54):
So I want to go through some practical tips that That we need to be reminded
continually that it's not just this nice gesture, but it's hospitality is a
vital expression of our faith.
And again, it can have profound impact on others and the world around us and us, right?
And I always, again, I'm going to say it. I'm sharing a list.
This is not exhaustive. So again, when you see this post, leave some comments
(25:18):
of things, ways that you do this within your own family or your church family or your neighborhoods.
So I start small. Small acts of kindness can speak volumes. I think very simply
you can invite a friend for coffee.
You can offer to share a meal with a neighbor.
Again, it's that gesture, you're opening your home and your heart that counts.
(25:39):
Plan ahead. All right. Doesn't always have to be, but it sure helps.
If we don't plan, it usually doesn't happen.
So definitely. And it alleviates the stress of last minute preparations.
Plan your hospitality events in advance if you can. You don't need to serve
elaborate or fancy meals.
Simple, comfort food often works best, and it allows you to focus on your guests.
(25:59):
Nobody really thinks about the food aspect of it, right?
Keep a list of food favorites. Start building a list of favorite meals that
you love to cook, others love to eat, and they're easy.
You can even put snacks in there and desserts, but it's really so you know foods
you're comfortable making, and maybe they don't take too much time.
I love to do that. I love to prepare foods that I could kind of get made ahead
(26:20):
somewhat ahead of time and just either be popped in the oven or in a crock pot
or whatever that might be so I can enjoy visiting and spending time with my guests.
And again, I'm not this elaborate cook. So for me personally,
I just like to keep things simple.
And I do love when I can get all my prep done ahead of time because I just prefer
not having to spend my whole time in the kitchen. And a lot of times,
(26:43):
if people ask, I may allow people to help clean up afterwards.
But if it's just dishes and they're just going to go in the dishwasher fast,
I usually like to leave it so we can just sit and fellowship after.
And then my husband and I will usually just clean up together after everybody leaves. And I like that.
But there's nothing wrong with if people want to help and you want to clean up, do that.
(27:03):
Because sweet fellowship happens when you're cleaning up together in the kitchen even.
So I know sometimes it ends up us women are in the kitchen cleaning up and the
men are are sitting and talking.
And it's just lovely. I really enjoy that.
All right, food favorites. I kind of lost what I was talking about. So involve others.
So again, I was talking about the cleanup. That's sort of like making it a shared effort.
(27:23):
It doesn't just lighten the load,
but it also, it teaches others valuable lessons about service and love.
So again, including your family members, make it that team effort.
Let your friends bring items for the meal or whatever might be going on.
People love to help and to contribute.
That's a way they can practice hospitality too. And let them,
(27:44):
again, help in the food prep and cleanup if it's in your home.
Again, if someone's asking you to load the dishwasher, let them do it.
You don't have to fix it when it's done.
It'll just be just fine however it washes.
I was trying to think I had another thought there and I'm kind of blanking on it.
Help them clean the food, food prep, clean up. I'm not, I'm not deleting this
(28:05):
out because I'm talking through this with you like you're sitting here with
me and I've lost my train of thought because I kind of have.
So I'm going to skip that and maybe it'll come back to me. So another big one
that I have for another thought is to be flexible.
Things don't always go as planned and that's really okay. The hospitality,
the heart of it lies in the love and care that are shown to your guests, not in the details.
(28:26):
Embrace those imperfections and enjoy the time together. If If dinner is burned,
it's okay to order a pizza. It's okay.
And then this is a big one to pray above all else. Pray for your guests.
Pray the time, for the time that you're going to spend together.
Ask God to use your act of hospitality as a means to show his love and grace.
Prayer sets the tone for a spirit of service and love.
(28:47):
One of the other aspects that I always want to share is that I know my husband
and I, we keep this running list of people we want to get over,
whether it's people from church or neighbors or friends.
And as we're planning our calendars on Sundays together, we look through that
and try to reach out to certain people and get those dates on the calendar with them.
So we are planners, and I do like to plan because I know if I don't plan,
(29:11):
it's not going to happen.
We have those spontaneous moments that do happen, but they are far and few between
compared to how often when we plan, we get people into our home.
So have a warm, welcoming demeanor. That's a big one. that really helps create
a comfortable, inviting atmosphere.
You want to practice this with joy, without complaint or resentment,
(29:33):
and your guests will truly feel welcome because they will know that they are
welcomed and loved and that you're happy with them being there.
And keep it simple. I can't say that enough.
It's not, again, it's not this perfect home or gourmet meals.
It's about making people feel loved and welcome. Let's try to remember that, okay?
I know I've said that like a half dozen times, but let's try to remember that.
(29:55):
But simple meals and a genuine heart go a long way in making your guests feel at home.
And then as you're planning your meals, think practical even.
Really simple, simple meals.
Spaghetti and garlic bread, tacos, soup and bread, barbecue chicken,
breakfast for dinner, a pizza night, or even just a potluck or soup and bread.
(30:16):
Meals that are easy to prepare allows you to spend more time with your guests.
And remember the aim. It's not to impress, but to express love and generosity.
It's more about the fellowship and connection that happens around that table
rather than the food itself.
There's nothing wrong with eating good, yummy food. We all love a good,
yummy meal, but you can do that with a very simple one still.
(30:38):
Focus on those relationships you're building. So I can't say enough.
A perfect home is not commanded, just an open home.
I love the term visitors or friends instead of company.
When I see the term company, I think of entertaining.
But when your heart is focused on the eternal rather than the temporal,
it's going to make your time with others one of freely and joyfully being able to open up your home.
(31:03):
So one thing I think about a lot is to keep on hand or even just in your mind
some good questions to discuss or to keep the conversation going.
Asking questions is a great way to get to know one another.
It's a great listening skill to learn to ask others questions and really listen
to what they're saying to you.
(31:24):
Focus on them. Do not be distracted, focused in on that person.
I have a post at the blog. It's called Cultivating True Christian Fellowship.
And I also have some printable questions, some little cards that you can keep
at your dinner table at my Thankful Homemaker shop.
They're really great for fostering deeper discussions.
Let me throw a few more thoughts on living this out.
(31:45):
Simple things like inviting a neighbor over or a new neighbor, right?
Welcome a new neighbor to the neighborhood with a meal. It's a wonderful way
to start a new friendship and make them feel at home.
I know in our neighborhood, we started a neighborhood directory.
And so I update it as new neighbors come in. We share the directory. It's optional.
Not everybody in the neighborhood wants to be on it, and that's okay.
(32:06):
But it's a way that we can reach out to one another. It's a way that I can and
get to know not just their names, but their kids' names too, if I'm not familiar.
So when I see them on the street, I can greet them, which I appreciate.
And as a neighborhood, we try to get together a couple times a year.
Usually we'll try to open our home and another neighbor will open their home.
So we can just have that fellowship. And little by little, we're building these relationships.
(32:30):
And I really appreciated that.
Offer a room. If you have space, offer a room in your home for a visiting missionary,
or maybe there's a church member in need.
This act of kindness can provide so much support and encouragement.
And then on Sundays, right, after church, maybe you can be prepared to spontaneously,
(32:50):
I say spontaneously, but I'm telling you to be prepared, but think it through,
inviting a family over for lunch.
You can invite both, you can mix and match some old and new family members together, right?
Invite several families, and then it helps everyone to get to know each other better.
Our pastor and his wife at our church are so excellent at doing this,
and it's inspired my hubby and I to think about which families,
(33:11):
couples, or singles we'd like to gather with along with other church family members.
And that simple act, it can foster deeper connections, build a stronger sense
of community within our church families.
You can bring a meal. Bring a meal to a family who's recently had a baby or
is going through a difficult time, or they're in the moving process, right?
They'd so probably appreciate that. Then that jester can just provide comfort
(33:35):
and show them that they're loved and supported and thought about,
right? You can let them know you're praying for them.
If your church doesn't have a meal train already set up, maybe that's something you can start.
There's some great online options for free that you can, it can organize it
all for you. I love it. Take them a meal.
It's called, I'll try to remember to link that in the show notes,
(33:55):
but it's called Take Them a Meal.
It's been a favorite. You put the family's food preferences.
If there's any allergies, they can determine how often and on which days they'd like a meal.
And then church families can just look at it and take certain days to bring them a meal.
They can even put on there what they're bringing so the family knows what's
coming and other people can see like, hey, they just had spaghetti,
so I probably won't do that.
(34:16):
They're just really helpful for families to have meals taken care of after having
that new baby or surgery.
What about hosting a Bible study? Maybe you're not leading it,
but maybe you can open your home to be the one to host it or a small group meeting.
That can be a great way to help to foster, to disciple, and encourage others
in their walk with the Lord.
Or during the holidays, consider inviting that college student who maybe can't
(34:40):
go home to join your family celebration.
I think about remembering the singles and widows in your church to make sure
they have somewhere to go for the holidays.
Reaching out in this way, it not only blesses them, but it really enriches your
own family's holiday experience.
And I can share from experience, we've really loved being able to do that,
and it has been a blessing.
(35:02):
So what about if you just can't open your home right now, or you just,
whatever that might be, I want to give you some simple everyday other ways.
You can check in with people with a phone call. Sometimes a simple phone call
can mean the world to somebody.
It shows that you care and you're thinking about them. And it's a lot different
than a text. There's nothing wrong with a text by any means.
(35:23):
But I know a phone call is always sweet to hear somebody's voice on the other
end. You can invite someone to meet at a coffee shop for a chat.
It's a very low pressure way to connect and show hospitality without having to host at home.
You can write a handwritten note or a card to someone who's going through a
tough time that can be a beautiful act of hospitality hospitality to just know
that somebody is thinking about them and praying for them,
(35:46):
Maybe you can run errands with a friend or neighbor. Maybe you can grocery shop together.
This not only might help them out, but provides an opportunity to spend time together.
Make an extra batch of a favorite recipe and share it with a neighbor or friend.
You know, just double that batch of cookies you're making.
It's a really simple way to show you care.
Go for a walk with somebody. That's a great way to have meaningful conversations
(36:08):
and just enjoy each other's company in a very relaxed setting,
and you get a little exercise on top of it.
But maybe you can invite someone to join you in a volunteer activity,
whether it's at church or something in your community.
And sometimes just being there to listen can be a very profound act of hospitality.
Make time to listen to someone who maybe just needs to talk.
(36:30):
You can also offer practical help like babysitting for a friend who needs a
break or helping a neighbor with yard work or a home project.
I think how often when we incorporate these simple steps, we can make hospitality
a natural and joyful part of our lives.
And we reflect God's love and we build deeper connections and friendships with those around us.
(36:50):
So I'm going to ramble some simple meal ideas that I've used in the past.
I do keep a list of favorite meals for company where I have the recipe and things
that I just love to serve and that I know I can make fairly easily.
But I also appreciate opening my home last minute and ordering pizza or picking
up sandwiches for a meal together.
In the summertime and fall, I
(37:11):
always have stuff on hand to make s'mores or throw a burger on the grill.
But there's just something very special that happens when we break bread together.
It just creates that very warm atmosphere, and I love it. So very simple things
you can do, right? Tacos are super simple.
Soup and salad and maybe some bread. Barbecue chicken with some simple sides.
(37:32):
You could do breakfast for dinner. Who does not love pancakes and eggs?
Pizza night. You can even, instead of ordering pizza, you can make homemade
pizzas with pre-made crusts and various toppings.
A potluck. You can just have a potluck. I know I have one friend who will just
reach out to people and say, hey, why don't you bring your dinner over and let's
(37:52):
eat dinner together. And I think that's so sweet. I love that.
Simple casseroles. Pick some of your favorite casseroles because those you can
usually make ahead and just pop in the oven.
A big batch of chili. That always works well. And throw some cornbread with
it or some chips or something.
Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Just that old time classic makes me think of childhood.
I love to do roasted chicken with roasted vegetables. That's really one of my
(38:15):
favorites to serve. Just chicken pieces in the the oven roasted and a pan of roasted veggies.
Sloppy joes. Who doesn't love sloppy joes and some easy sides?
You can even do some homemade mac and cheese in a side salad.
And then when you're thinking dessert, think fun things you love.
An ice cream bar, brownie sundaes, apple pie and ice cream.
Costco makes a great apple pie when it's that season.
(38:37):
Cookies, cupcakes, Rice Krispie treats. I've used this recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction.
It's a website and it is such a good recipe.
I will try to remember to put that in the show notes. I think I put that out
in my last newsletter to my subscribers.
So if you don't subscribe to my newsletter, you should so do it because I love
to put little nuggets in there that I come across, things I'm reading or recipes
(38:58):
or whatever that might be.
One of my favorites in the summer is is to buy a store-bought angel food cake
and get some strawberries and some whipped cream and do some easy strawberry shortcake.
And then there is nothing wrong with yummy store-bought cookies.
I think about things like Pepperidge Farm or some yummy shortbread cookies.
And with some good chocolate, that and a cup of coffee, that is just lovely.
(39:23):
And then I think the good old s'mores night. And you can set up a s'mores bar
with all kinds of fun options.
You can obviously, you can get as elaborate as you want.
And I know some of you out there are so gifted at baking and cooking,
but I'm just tossing ideas to keep it simple.
And it's just a way we can make it manageable and enjoyable,
focusing on that fellowship and connection that happens around the table together.
(39:46):
So as I'm getting near the end here, I have a little bit left.
I hope you're still hanging with me.
But I want to talk about how we reflect God's character through hospitality,
because hospitality is a beautiful way to do that. It shows his welcoming nature
and how God draws people into his family.
Because when we open our homes and hearts, we mirror God's love,
(40:07):
his generosity, his care, his provision.
It's a way to live out the gospel and invite others to experience God firsthand.
God's hospitality is rooted.
Rooted in his character. Throughout the Bible, we see God as a welcoming and generous host.
He's always ready to extend his love and grace to everyone.
Think about the parables. I think about in Luke 15, the lost sheep,
(40:30):
the lost coin, the lost son, right?
They all show how much joy God has when one sinner repents and comes home.
And God's hospitality isn't just about welcoming us into his family. It is about that.
It's also about his constant care and provision for us.
Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6, 26, that God feeds the birds of the air.
(40:50):
He's highlighting his attentive care for all creation.
And in John 6, 35, Jesus says he's the bread of life, showing that God meets
not just our physical needs, but he also nourishes our souls.
Jesus truly is the perfect host. When we practice hospitality,
we're not just following this biblical command, but we are reflecting God's character to the world.
(41:11):
We're giving others a glimpse of his love and generosity and his care and provision.
Our homes and hearts become places where others can experience God's hospitality.
And that serves as a powerful testimony of our faith. And it invites others
to know and experience God for themselves.
And as we welcome others into our homes, we embody the gospel message.
(41:33):
Just as God welcomed us into his family through Christ, we extend a welcoming
hand to others. As Paul writes in Ephesians 2.19.
Practicing hospitality is another way the Lord works in our hearts.
It's helping us to become more like Jesus. It's to advise us in those challenging
(41:57):
moments and those difficult times.
But as He transforms our hearts and lives, and as we strive to reflect His character,
or we honor him and build deeper and more meaningful connections with those around us.
And always, always, always with the hope of pointing them to Christ,
with the hope of sharing the gospel with them, and that they too would come
(42:17):
to repent and believe in Jesus Christ alone as their Lord and Savior.
Let me just close with some quick and easy ways to start implementing some of
what we talked today to make it practical.
I know it was a longer episode, and I'm so thankful for you being here with me.
You can now find the whole transcript if you're on Apple Podcasts,
on Apple Podcasts, or on Podbean, which is where I host this podcast.
(42:40):
But I do have quite a bit in the show notes, too. So utilize the show notes
if you're looking for links or lists.
I may even make some separate posts with meal ideas and some of the tips talking
about our kiddos and expand on those a little bit more than what I did here.
So maybe look for that. And if you are looking for it, you can also subscribe
to my newsletter because then I will tell my newsletter people that it's there.
(43:03):
So that's one easy way to know it's there.
So let me just summarize a few final thoughts. So embrace it as a command, okay?
Remember that hospitality is not optional for believers, but it's a command from God.
And begin to see it as a vital part of your Christian walk, that it's a way
to honor God by loving others.
And then start small. Don't get it overwhelmed.
Don't do that. You don't need to host this grand event.
(43:25):
Begin with small, manageable acts of hospitality, like very simply inviting
a friend over for coffee or sharing that meal together with a neighbor.
And then plan ahead and keep it simple.
Reduce any stress you might have. Take that away by planning ahead. That's so helpful.
Simple meals, a warm, welcoming attitude are more impactful than elaborate preparations
(43:47):
and involve your family.
Make sure you're including your children in the practice of it.
Let them help with the preparations.
Teach them the biblical basis for welcoming others. Work through that with them.
Pray for your guests. Cover your hospitality in prayer.
Ask God to use your home and your efforts to show his love and grace to those that you welcome.
And maybe start making a list. Very simply, maybe it's just one person or a few people.
(44:12):
Start making a list and start getting those people on your calendar.
Be flexible and be joyful. Embrace that unpredictability of hospitality.
Pray for a joyful and thankful heart as the Lord gives you that opportunity to serve others.
And reflect God's character. Remember that practicing hospitality mirrors God's welcoming nature.
(44:37):
Use your home and your life as a reflection of His love and generosity.
I've said this a zillion times here, but hospitality fosters deeper relationships
and a sense of belonging.
So welcome others into your life and create a community that reflects the love of Christ.
So as I wrap up here, I hope that you're going to see hospitality as a natural
and joyful part of your life as a believer.
(45:00):
And remember, practicing hospitality, it's about reflecting God's love and generosity.
It's not about achieving perfection. It's about opening our hearts and homes
to others, offering comfort and fellowship, and pointing them to the ultimate hospitality of God.
We need to keep the end in mind. The Lord is preparing a place for us in his
heaven where we will feast with the king, we will be seated at his table,
(45:23):
and enjoy his presence forever.
And this beautiful truth should inspire us to practice hospitality here on earth.
I wanna read John 14, one through three.
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you
that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you
(45:45):
to myself that where I am, you may be also.
So hospitality is more than just this social nicety, right? It is a profound
reflection of God's love and generosity toward us.
And as we practice it, let's extend grace just as we've received it.
It's not about having everything perfect, but about showing love,
sharing the gospel with others, and building connections. And each act of kindness
(46:09):
and each open door is a small way that we can extend God's kingdom here on earth.
So I pray, my friend, that after this we will embrace the call to be hospitable
and that we trust as we do that we are mirroring the ultimate hospitality of
God who's preparing a place for us in his eternal home.
Truly, my friend, Jesus is enough always.
(46:30):
Again, the full show notes are at the blog at thankfulhomemaker.com and any
other links I will put there from books to if I get these other posts put together.
If you're enjoying the podcast, I'd so appreciate if you could take a minute
or two to just leave a review wherever you listen in.
It helps others to find the podcast and your reviews are such a bright spot
in my days to come across.
So thank you, thank you, thank you so much for all All of you who have taken
(46:52):
the time to do that for me, I am truly, truly grateful.
I'm truly grateful you're here and listening, and I am grateful for you, my dear friend.
And I do pray that you have a very blessed week.
Music.
Music.
(00:06):
Welcome to the Thankful Homemaker podcast, a podcast to be an encouragement
and blessing to each other in the role God has called us to as women.
I'm so thankful you've stopped by, so grab yourself a coffee or tea and sit
with me a bit as we talk about how God's Word impacts every area of our lives as Christian women.
Hello, friend. I'm Marci Farrell
(00:27):
from Thankful Homemaker, and I'm so glad you're here with me today.
So whether you've been here with me a bit listening in or you're tuning in for
the first time, I'm so grateful that you've chosen to spend a few moments of your busy day with me.
And if you are new here, I want to extend a special welcome to you and let you
(00:47):
know there are so many resources over at the blog at thankfulhomemaker.com to
encourage you in your role as a Christian homemaker.
So I hope that you'll take a moment and pop over and spend a bit of time there when you get a chance.
So we are on episode 161 today, and it's titled Opening Hearts and Homes,
The Transformative Power of Biblical Hospitality.
(01:09):
And today, we're going to dive into the topic of biblical hospitality.
We're going to dig into the scriptures, so we're going to look a bit about the theology.
We're going to get practical and get some practical aspects of hospitality,
even some helps with bringing our children into it, and reminding ourselves
that it's a command and it's not an option for believers.
(01:31):
Our goal is to honor God by obeying his command to contribute to the needs of
the saints and seek to show hospitality.
We aim to love one another within the body of Christ and extend God's love to
both strangers and friends.
And referencing both there, Romans 12, 13 and Hebrews 13, 2.
So I've utilized quite a plethora of resources in working through today's episode,
(01:55):
and I will list them all in the show notes.
They may go in their own special blog post, even. I'm not sure what I'm doing with that yet.
But Alexander Strauch, who wrote a favorite book of mine, it's titled,
it's probably the first book I ever read on hospitality.
It was called The Hospitality Commands, Building Loving Christian Community.
He shared a quote that I want to open our time with today. He said.
(02:46):
Characteristic of Christian love than hospitality. Through the Ministry of Hospitality,
we share the things we value most—family, home, financial resources,
food, privacy, and time.
In other words, we share our lives.
That just, that kind of sums it up all right there, but we're going to work
through this a little bit here today.
(03:08):
So when we open our homes to others, it is going to cost us.
It's going to cost us time and service and sacrifice.
Our lives are all busy. I get it. And in the midst of a tiring day,
the thought of having company can just, it can seem overwhelming.
We sometimes just don't feel like being around other people and we want to just
(03:29):
have a quiet evening at home.
We can tend to focus on the difficulties of being hospitable.
It takes time and work to tidy the house and cook a meal and plan for it and
shop for it. It costs financial parts to do that even, right?
As Alexander Strauch said, we worry too much about what others will think,
(03:49):
or we just enjoy our privacy too much.
I'm going to say this, and I'm saying this about myself. Being naturally selfish
people, we tend to focus on ourselves.
And if we're truly honest, we like our time and space. But true biblical hospitality,
it is God-centered and other-centered.
(04:10):
It reflects the love of Christ by opening our hearts and homes to serve and
bless others, all for the glory of God.
There are many verses in God's Word that command us to practice hospitality.
But true biblical hospitality can only be practiced through the power of God's
Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. So as Christians...
(04:34):
We're reminded in Ephesians 2.10 that we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works.
When we show hospitality, we're reflecting Christ's love and compassion,
not just to fellow believers, but to the stranger and those in need.
Proverbs 14.31 and Proverbs 19.17 remind us that we honor God by being kind to the needy.
(04:58):
And Jesus, again, he emphasized this in Luke 14.13, where he tells us,
when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame,
the blind, and you will be blessed.
And then Jesus also taught us over in Matthew 22, 39, to love your neighbor as yourself.
And the parable of the Good Samaritan, it shows us that our neighbor,
(05:19):
it's not just defined by where we live, like the proximity or our nationality
or our race, but wherever and whenever.
I should say, people need us, that's where we can be neighbors.
And then like Christ, we show mercy. And that is what true hospitality is all about.
And it's not just merely this nice gesture, but it's a command from God.
(05:45):
The Bible is filled with instructions to practice hospitality,
emphasizing the significance of it in our walk as believers.
So I want to walk through a few passages together.
So Romans 12.13 tells us, "...contribute to the needs of the saints and seek
to show hospitality," and the NASB states it as "...contributing to the needs of the saints.".
(06:07):
And practicing hospitality. So we're to love and we're to care for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The needs of the church are met through our care for one another.
Our faith should be a lifestyle of sharing where we carry each other's burdens
and we rejoice in each other's blessings.
That's what it means to be a family of Christ. We look out for one another.
(06:28):
The word for hospitality in Romans 12, 13, it means stranger loving.
And practice there in that verse.
It means to be actively seeking out those in need.
It means that we don't wait for someone to come knock on our door,
but we go out and we pursue the stranger in need.
And Hebrews 13 too tells us not to neglect to show hospitality to strangers
(06:53):
for some have entertained angels without knowing it.
So as we open our homes, we're not to do it with the hopes that we are entertaining an angel, right?
But it's to remind us to offer cheerful hospitality, being reminded here,
as one commentator stated it, that we only observe the outside service of those we receive.
(07:13):
More lies beneath than what we can see.
So when we open our homes to believers, that's a way that we can share in our
lives together, and we can encourage each other, and we can build one another up in the faith.
And our time together should be spent in praying for one another,
sharing what the Lord is doing in our lives.
My favorite is how we can share testimonies of how the Lord opened our eyes
(07:37):
to the wonderful saving gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
I love hearing how others came to faith, how they came to know Jesus.
Our closest relationships with others has come about because we spend time with
each other and in each other's homes and lives.
It becomes then just a relaxed atmosphere where we can share our cares and our
prayer requests and our gratefulness, the areas that we need help in,
(07:59):
whatever that might be, or in all the Lord has done and continues to do in our lives.
And in opening our homes to our neighbors and friends around us who don't know
the Lord, our homes should be a testimony of love, of the love of Christ in our lives.
Because so many have come to know the Lord through open homes and open hearts,
sharing the gospel and sharing the love of Christ with others.
(08:22):
William Barclay stated it. He said, A home can never be happy when it is selfish.
Christianity is the religion of the open hand, the open heart, and the open door.
And one commentator states it, and this is so true. He said,
We must will to be hospitable.
It doesn't always come naturally to us, right? I know it's It's a work of the
(08:44):
Spirit in us, but we need to will, and we need to pray about it, and we need to act on it.
James 2, 14 to 17 reminds us of our care and concern for others,
that it's going to show itself in practical deeds.
It states there, what good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith
but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
(09:04):
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
and one of you says says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled,
without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
So, hospitality is also a qualification for elders, that's from 1 Timothy 3.2,
(09:28):
and for widows to be cared for financially and honored, that's 1 Timothy 5.9-10.
We see the importance the Lord places on showing hospitality to both believers
and non-believers, demonstrating love and kindness and reflecting God's character.
And one verse I want to walk through just a little bit more here is 1 Peter 4.9.
It tells us to show hospitality without grumbling. How did the Lord know that
(09:52):
we would grumble about it?
So 1 Peter 4, 7-10 tells us, The end of all things is at hand.
Therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift,
(10:14):
use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace.
So in these verses, Peter is instructing believers in how to live in the last days.
He tells them these certain things that should be evident in their lives.
He states in verse 7 to be self-controlled and sober-minded.
In verse 8, he says to show sincere love. And in verse 9, he says to show hospitality.
(10:40):
In verse 10, to serve one another. There's an awful lot in these verses and
the ones preceding it, but we're just going to focus in here on 4-9.
And one way that we show our sincere love for one another is it's going to be
evident by serving one another and showing hospitality with thankful and joyful hearts.
Because if we're grumbling and complaining, first of all, we're not showing
(11:04):
a sincere love for one another, but we also need a heart and motives check there.
A commentary I was reading when I was working through this verse,
it shared this quote that the commentator shared this quote that he had from
a dear friend of his on hospitality.
And I want to read it. It's just, I really, I really appreciated it.
(11:24):
This friend of the commentator said, the key with hospitality is to begin.
It doesn't matter if you live in an apartment, a dorm, or a house.
Once a week, opening our home, baking a few cookies, saying hello in the elevator,
checking up on an older neighbor and borrowing sugar from the next apartment.
Yes, the city is a place of isolation, but it may be that through our doors, all kinds will come.
(11:48):
One who is hungry, an intellectual questioning, a colleague in crisis,
a student from a far off land.
It may be that God's new people from the nations will sit around our table.
It may be that having a shared meal and having tasted of Christ,
their own table will be open for the gospel in a country we would never reach.
He says, hospitality is not something we do overly pragmatically.
(12:12):
We do not practice hospitality to, quote, get conversions.
We practice hospitality because it is right. We practice hospitality because we are God's people.
We share God's goodness through our home because God has shown his goodness to us.
His grace overflows the threshold of our homes, end quote there.
And Erwin Lutzer stated, he said, hospitality is a test for godliness because
(12:35):
those who are selfish selfish, do not like strangers, especially needy ones,
to intrude upon their private lives.
They prefer their own friends who share their lifestyle.
Only the humble have the necessary resources to give of themselves to those
who could never give of themselves in return.
Okay, those are both ouch ones, and I feel like I probably needed that little
kick in both of those. So you're getting that with me.
(12:58):
I appreciate getting to do that with you. I'm sure you just love me for it.
But my dear friend our homes they're to be open doors to others in need they're
to be places of christian welcome
and love and it does take work but god will equip us to do that work.
And hospitality is for everyone. There's no excuses here, okay?
I want to remove any reasons why we might think that we're exempt from this command.
(13:22):
I know there's maybe some people who have the gift of hospitality,
but all believers are called to be hospitable.
It's a way to love and serve others and reflect Christ's love.
Romans 12, 13, and 1 Peter 4, 9, they both emphasize that hospitality is for
all Christians, not just a select few. you.
It's a duty for all believers, regardless of life circumstances or seasons of life.
(13:43):
And we're going to get to some practical things and we're going to see how this
can all work too, as we get a little further into this episode.
Hebrews 13 too, reminds us not to neglect showing hospitality to strangers.
So again, while some of us may be naturally gifted or really enjoy this,
right? We just thrive doing it.
No matter our season of life or the circumstances, if you are in Christ,
(14:06):
you're called to be hospitable.
This is going to look different. I get it, depending on our circumstances.
And there's not just this one way to do it.
But biblical hospitality is a way we demonstrate love, serve others,
and we're reflecting the love of Christ that's been shown to us.
And it's also, it's about relationships, not perfection.
Because true hospitality, I want to get some of this out of the way before we get to the practical.
(14:30):
So true hospitality, it's not about having this perfectly clean home or serving gourmet meals.
It's about building relationships and making others feel welcome and loved.
And our hope is to always point others to Christ.
Keeping hospitality simple, it emphasizes the people over the details,
allowing genuine relationships to develop.
(14:51):
Too often, we can have a wrong picture of hospitality, and we need to be reminded
to keep it simple because it's more, again, about making others feel welcome.
It needs to be accessible to everyone. And there are so many ways it can be
practiced beyond just preparing a meal.
When we keep it simple, we keep the emphasis on where it truly belongs, on the people.
(15:15):
And then as we do this, it's going to allow for genuine relationships to develop.
And then it also encourages others to practice it in their own lives by our own simple example.
It's also a witness to the world, right? It's a powerful testament to nonbelievers.
It demonstrates Christ's love in action, and it also opened doors for us to share the gospel.
(15:38):
It can break down barriers and preconceptions about Christianity.
It can foster deeper conversations in a very comfortable home setting.
Setting, I think how often that it demonstrates the love of Christ in action,
and that's so important for us to remember.
And when we're doing that, we're exhibiting Christ's love in a very tangible
(15:59):
way, and it can have such a significant impact.
And often at times, it's that comfortable setting of our homes that just encourages
those deeper conversations to just naturally arise, whether it's over a shared
meal or a casual cup of coffee.
This relaxed, homey environment often makes it easy to tell others about the
(16:21):
work of the Lord in our lives and then leads to sharing the gospel with them.
We need to strive to extend hospitality beyond our immediate circle of friends
and family. I know this is an area I need to work on.
It is all too easy to gather only those people that we are most familiar with
at times, and there's nothing wrong with this, but we don't want it to be to
(16:43):
the exclusivity of not reaching out to others.
We need to pray about reaching out to people in our neighborhoods and workplaces
and various other places we frequent, and then just do it.
And when we do this, we can demonstrate Christ's love in practical ways.
So, and as we practice hospitality, we become those living testimonies of the
transformative power of God's work in our lives.
(17:06):
And hospitality, it requires sacrifice.
No matter what we do, right? Being hospitable, it's going to require sacrifice,
whether it's giving up of our time, our financial resources,
other resources, our comfort, whatever that might be.
But the rewards, they far outweigh the costs.
It's going to take time and planning and effort, but our reminder has to be,
(17:29):
friend, that no matter how much we sacrifice, it is never going to come close
to what Jesus sacrificed to be hospitable to us.
All, everything, think about it, all we have received is a gift from God. It's not ours.
And this reminds us to be faithful stewards of God's gifts. lives everything
we have our time our home and food it's on loan from jesus to be used for his
(17:51):
purposes and furthering his kingdom and for the good of others.
In biblical hospitality, it starts within the four walls of our own homes with our families.
I want to walk through a little bit how to involve our children.
And every time I do these lists, I always feel like I need to lay this out,
that these are not some exhaustive lists.
These are just ideas that are coming from me, things I've read,
(18:13):
things we've practiced in our home that I'm sharing with you.
So you probably have many more ideas.
And if you do have many more ideas, wherever you see this posted,
whether it's on my blog at thankfulhomemaker.com or if you're on a podcast app
or whatever that may be, please share your comments or on Facebook or Instagram.
Those are really the only two social accounts I'm on now. I do share on Pinterest,
(18:34):
but that's really not like Facebook or Instagram.
So share a comment if you see it there and post it of some ways you do this,
how you involve your family, your children, some practical tips.
I'm going to get to those two here, but right now I want to talk a little little
bit about involving our kiddos.
So it really begins by creating an environment of love and care and generosity right where we live.
(18:56):
So one of the things I think of first is practicing kindness and patience, right?
We need to show kindness and patience to each other daily in our homes, to our family.
Simple acts of love and understanding, they alone create a very welcoming atmosphere.
Share meals together. So make it a priority for your family to have meals together.
(19:17):
And use this time to connect and share and encourage each other.
It sets a foundation for extending hospitality to others.
It helps children to learn to communicate with others as you communicate different
conversations around the dinner table together.
Involve everyone, include your children in acts of hospitality,
let them help set the table, cook a meal, clean up, teaching them to serve others starts in the home.
(19:42):
I remember when my kiddos were younger and we would have Bible studies or things
here at the house, I had like this main checklist that we could all work through together.
So when it was time to help and get ready for our friends to come over for the
study or for the meal or whatever it was, we could work together,
and whether it's setting tables, setting chairs out, cleaning a bathroom,
(20:05):
that my kids could help do that.
And I really appreciated their help, and it really helped them to prepare them
for now in their lives as adults to welcome others into their home. So pray together.
Regularly pray together as a family. Pray for each other. Pray for those you
might invite in your home.
That That alone is a help and a good start.
(20:27):
Serve each other. I think about this in teaching our children to serve one another.
Look for ways to serve one another in just everyday tasks, right?
No matter how small these may be, they do build a habit of hospitality in your
home and within your family, which will go out from there. And then celebrate together.
Make sure you celebrate each other's achievements and milestones.
(20:49):
I think it's so fun and we look so forward to creating celebrations in our home,
whether it's birthdays or holidays or something that happened to someone.
And then that also helps your children to learn how to celebrate with others outside of your family.
This is another big one, to welcome guests together. So when you have guests
come in, involve your family in welcoming them.
(21:11):
Teach your children how to shake hands, how to look somebody in the eye,
how to talk to them, how they can hang up coats.
They can greet people. They can help people leave by getting their coats and
thank them for coming and saying goodbye.
And even your children, let them see and participate in the joy of you opening your home to others.
Because I think so often as parents, we forget, but one of the most effective
(21:34):
ways we can instill the importance of biblical hospitality in our children is as we lead by example.
Our children are watching us and they often mirror the behaviors they see in their parents.
And when they see us opening our homes and hearts in hospitality,
they're gonna learn the importance of this firsthand, right?
So a simple example, let them see you invite a new neighbor over for a meal
(21:57):
or offer your home as a meeting place for a church gathering.
Let them watch as you prepare for these occasions, not being all stressed out
or frustrated or, you know, frazzled or whatever that might be.
Again, Peter reminded us to offer hospitality without grumbling.
But again, that they would see you would do it with great joy and anticipation
and include them in the preparations as much as you can.
(22:20):
Allow them to take part in the act of hospitality.
As you lead by example, it's also important to communicate with your children
about why you're doing what you're doing, right?
Explain the biblical basis for it and how it's an expression of God's love.
Discuss the impact it can have both on you as a family and those friends that
(22:40):
you're welcoming into your home.
And in addition to that, I think about how to show that biblical hospitality,
it even goes beyond our homes, right?
They can be hospitable in every situation that, wherever they are,
at school, at church, on the playground, grown at a friend's house.
Every act of kindness, no matter how small, is a form of hospitality.
(23:03):
And above all, it's so important to remind your children and really yourself here.
That the goal of it, I keep saying biblical hospitality, it's quite a tongue
twister when you keep saying it, but the goal of biblical hospitality,
it's not to impress others, but to express love and care.
It's not about having this perfect home or the most delicious food.
(23:24):
But it's about, and we need to remind them because we need to model this,
it's about making others feel welcome and loved.
And we can teach our children that it's not just about what we do,
but about who we are as followers of Christ.
It becomes a lifestyle of love and generosity and kindness towards others.
It reflects the hospitality we've received from God.
(23:48):
So I come back again with them, just involve them in the preparation process,
right? Help them to prepare, set the table.
Again, teach them, work through some of the passages of the Bible with them
that talk about Christianity.
It's going to help them understand why it's important and how it reflects God's
love, and then model it to them.
Let them see you welcoming your guests with kindness and generosity.
(24:10):
That's a really powerful example for them to follow and encourage them to interact with guests.
Maybe you work through some questions together that they could ask others.
But again, just even the simple saying a hello and engaging in a general conversation,
it's going to help them develop social skills and comfort in welcoming others.
(24:31):
And then I think this is a big one sometimes we don't do and I wouldn't think
to do. And maybe you're doing this as you're cleaning up together.
That's another part of it, to let them help you clean up.
But discuss the experience afterward. After the guests have left,
talk about it with your kids, how they felt, what they learned.
This really allows them to reflect on the importance of hospitality and its impact.
(24:54):
So I want to go through some practical tips that That we need to be reminded
continually that it's not just this nice gesture, but it's hospitality is a
vital expression of our faith.
And again, it can have profound impact on others and the world around us and us, right?
And I always, again, I'm going to say it. I'm sharing a list.
This is not exhaustive. So again, when you see this post, leave some comments
(25:18):
of things, ways that you do this within your own family or your church family or your neighborhoods.
So I start small. Small acts of kindness can speak volumes. I think very simply
you can invite a friend for coffee.
You can offer to share a meal with a neighbor.
Again, it's that gesture, you're opening your home and your heart that counts.
(25:39):
Plan ahead. All right. Doesn't always have to be, but it sure helps.
If we don't plan, it usually doesn't happen.
So definitely. And it alleviates the stress of last minute preparations.
Plan your hospitality events in advance if you can. You don't need to serve
elaborate or fancy meals.
Simple, comfort food often works best, and it allows you to focus on your guests.
(25:59):
Nobody really thinks about the food aspect of it, right?
Keep a list of food favorites. Start building a list of favorite meals that
you love to cook, others love to eat, and they're easy.
You can even put snacks in there and desserts, but it's really so you know foods
you're comfortable making, and maybe they don't take too much time.
I love to do that. I love to prepare foods that I could kind of get made ahead
(26:20):
somewhat ahead of time and just either be popped in the oven or in a crock pot
or whatever that might be so I can enjoy visiting and spending time with my guests.
And again, I'm not this elaborate cook. So for me personally,
I just like to keep things simple.
And I do love when I can get all my prep done ahead of time because I just prefer
not having to spend my whole time in the kitchen. And a lot of times,
(26:43):
if people ask, I may allow people to help clean up afterwards.
But if it's just dishes and they're just going to go in the dishwasher fast,
I usually like to leave it so we can just sit and fellowship after.
And then my husband and I will usually just clean up together after everybody leaves. And I like that.
But there's nothing wrong with if people want to help and you want to clean up, do that.
(27:03):
Because sweet fellowship happens when you're cleaning up together in the kitchen even.
So I know sometimes it ends up us women are in the kitchen cleaning up and the
men are are sitting and talking.
And it's just lovely. I really enjoy that.
All right, food favorites. I kind of lost what I was talking about. So involve others.
So again, I was talking about the cleanup. That's sort of like making it a shared effort.
(27:23):
It doesn't just lighten the load,
but it also, it teaches others valuable lessons about service and love.
So again, including your family members, make it that team effort.
Let your friends bring items for the meal or whatever might be going on.
People love to help and to contribute.
That's a way they can practice hospitality too. And let them,
(27:44):
again, help in the food prep and cleanup if it's in your home.
Again, if someone's asking you to load the dishwasher, let them do it.
You don't have to fix it when it's done.
It'll just be just fine however it washes.
I was trying to think I had another thought there and I'm kind of blanking on it.
Help them clean the food, food prep, clean up. I'm not, I'm not deleting this
(28:05):
out because I'm talking through this with you like you're sitting here with
me and I've lost my train of thought because I kind of have.
So I'm going to skip that and maybe it'll come back to me. So another big one
that I have for another thought is to be flexible.
Things don't always go as planned and that's really okay. The hospitality,
the heart of it lies in the love and care that are shown to your guests, not in the details.
(28:26):
Embrace those imperfections and enjoy the time together. If If dinner is burned,
it's okay to order a pizza. It's okay.
And then this is a big one to pray above all else. Pray for your guests.
Pray the time, for the time that you're going to spend together.
Ask God to use your act of hospitality as a means to show his love and grace.
Prayer sets the tone for a spirit of service and love.
(28:47):
One of the other aspects that I always want to share is that I know my husband
and I, we keep this running list of people we want to get over,
whether it's people from church or neighbors or friends.
And as we're planning our calendars on Sundays together, we look through that
and try to reach out to certain people and get those dates on the calendar with them.
So we are planners, and I do like to plan because I know if I don't plan,
(29:11):
it's not going to happen.
We have those spontaneous moments that do happen, but they are far and few between
compared to how often when we plan, we get people into our home.
So have a warm, welcoming demeanor. That's a big one. that really helps create
a comfortable, inviting atmosphere.
You want to practice this with joy, without complaint or resentment,
(29:33):
and your guests will truly feel welcome because they will know that they are
welcomed and loved and that you're happy with them being there.
And keep it simple. I can't say that enough.
It's not, again, it's not this perfect home or gourmet meals.
It's about making people feel loved and welcome. Let's try to remember that, okay?
I know I've said that like a half dozen times, but let's try to remember that.
(29:55):
But simple meals and a genuine heart go a long way in making your guests feel at home.
And then as you're planning your meals, think practical even.
Really simple, simple meals.
Spaghetti and garlic bread, tacos, soup and bread, barbecue chicken,
breakfast for dinner, a pizza night, or even just a potluck or soup and bread.
(30:16):
Meals that are easy to prepare allows you to spend more time with your guests.
And remember the aim. It's not to impress, but to express love and generosity.
It's more about the fellowship and connection that happens around that table
rather than the food itself.
There's nothing wrong with eating good, yummy food. We all love a good,
yummy meal, but you can do that with a very simple one still.
(30:38):
Focus on those relationships you're building. So I can't say enough.
A perfect home is not commanded, just an open home.
I love the term visitors or friends instead of company.
When I see the term company, I think of entertaining.
But when your heart is focused on the eternal rather than the temporal,
it's going to make your time with others one of freely and joyfully being able to open up your home.
(31:03):
So one thing I think about a lot is to keep on hand or even just in your mind
some good questions to discuss or to keep the conversation going.
Asking questions is a great way to get to know one another.
It's a great listening skill to learn to ask others questions and really listen
to what they're saying to you.
(31:24):
Focus on them. Do not be distracted, focused in on that person.
I have a post at the blog. It's called Cultivating True Christian Fellowship.
And I also have some printable questions, some little cards that you can keep
at your dinner table at my Thankful Homemaker shop.
They're really great for fostering deeper discussions.
Let me throw a few more thoughts on living this out.
(31:45):
Simple things like inviting a neighbor over or a new neighbor, right?
Welcome a new neighbor to the neighborhood with a meal. It's a wonderful way
to start a new friendship and make them feel at home.
I know in our neighborhood, we started a neighborhood directory.
And so I update it as new neighbors come in. We share the directory. It's optional.
Not everybody in the neighborhood wants to be on it, and that's okay.
(32:06):
But it's a way that we can reach out to one another. It's a way that I can and
get to know not just their names, but their kids' names too, if I'm not familiar.
So when I see them on the street, I can greet them, which I appreciate.
And as a neighborhood, we try to get together a couple times a year.
Usually we'll try to open our home and another neighbor will open their home.
So we can just have that fellowship. And little by little, we're building these relationships.
(32:30):
And I really appreciated that.
Offer a room. If you have space, offer a room in your home for a visiting missionary,
or maybe there's a church member in need.
This act of kindness can provide so much support and encouragement.
And then on Sundays, right, after church, maybe you can be prepared to spontaneously,
(32:50):
I say spontaneously, but I'm telling you to be prepared, but think it through,
inviting a family over for lunch.
You can invite both, you can mix and match some old and new family members together, right?
Invite several families, and then it helps everyone to get to know each other better.
Our pastor and his wife at our church are so excellent at doing this,
and it's inspired my hubby and I to think about which families,
(33:11):
couples, or singles we'd like to gather with along with other church family members.
And that simple act, it can foster deeper connections, build a stronger sense
of community within our church families.
You can bring a meal. Bring a meal to a family who's recently had a baby or
is going through a difficult time, or they're in the moving process, right?
They'd so probably appreciate that. Then that jester can just provide comfort
(33:35):
and show them that they're loved and supported and thought about,
right? You can let them know you're praying for them.
If your church doesn't have a meal train already set up, maybe that's something you can start.
There's some great online options for free that you can, it can organize it
all for you. I love it. Take them a meal.
It's called, I'll try to remember to link that in the show notes,
(33:55):
but it's called Take Them a Meal.
It's been a favorite. You put the family's food preferences.
If there's any allergies, they can determine how often and on which days they'd like a meal.
And then church families can just look at it and take certain days to bring them a meal.
They can even put on there what they're bringing so the family knows what's
coming and other people can see like, hey, they just had spaghetti,
so I probably won't do that.
(34:16):
They're just really helpful for families to have meals taken care of after having
that new baby or surgery.
What about hosting a Bible study? Maybe you're not leading it,
but maybe you can open your home to be the one to host it or a small group meeting.
That can be a great way to help to foster, to disciple, and encourage others
in their walk with the Lord.
Or during the holidays, consider inviting that college student who maybe can't
(34:40):
go home to join your family celebration.
I think about remembering the singles and widows in your church to make sure
they have somewhere to go for the holidays.
Reaching out in this way, it not only blesses them, but it really enriches your
own family's holiday experience.
And I can share from experience, we've really loved being able to do that,
and it has been a blessing.
(35:02):
So what about if you just can't open your home right now, or you just,
whatever that might be, I want to give you some simple everyday other ways.
You can check in with people with a phone call. Sometimes a simple phone call
can mean the world to somebody.
It shows that you care and you're thinking about them. And it's a lot different
than a text. There's nothing wrong with a text by any means.
(35:23):
But I know a phone call is always sweet to hear somebody's voice on the other
end. You can invite someone to meet at a coffee shop for a chat.
It's a very low pressure way to connect and show hospitality without having to host at home.
You can write a handwritten note or a card to someone who's going through a
tough time that can be a beautiful act of hospitality hospitality to just know
that somebody is thinking about them and praying for them,
(35:46):
Maybe you can run errands with a friend or neighbor. Maybe you can grocery shop together.
This not only might help them out, but provides an opportunity to spend time together.
Make an extra batch of a favorite recipe and share it with a neighbor or friend.
You know, just double that batch of cookies you're making.
It's a really simple way to show you care.
Go for a walk with somebody. That's a great way to have meaningful conversations
(36:08):
and just enjoy each other's company in a very relaxed setting,
and you get a little exercise on top of it.
But maybe you can invite someone to join you in a volunteer activity,
whether it's at church or something in your community.
And sometimes just being there to listen can be a very profound act of hospitality.
Make time to listen to someone who maybe just needs to talk.
(36:30):
You can also offer practical help like babysitting for a friend who needs a
break or helping a neighbor with yard work or a home project.
I think how often when we incorporate these simple steps, we can make hospitality
a natural and joyful part of our lives.
And we reflect God's love and we build deeper connections and friendships with those around us.
(36:50):
So I'm going to ramble some simple meal ideas that I've used in the past.
I do keep a list of favorite meals for company where I have the recipe and things
that I just love to serve and that I know I can make fairly easily.
But I also appreciate opening my home last minute and ordering pizza or picking
up sandwiches for a meal together.
In the summertime and fall, I
(37:11):
always have stuff on hand to make s'mores or throw a burger on the grill.
But there's just something very special that happens when we break bread together.
It just creates that very warm atmosphere, and I love it. So very simple things
you can do, right? Tacos are super simple.
Soup and salad and maybe some bread. Barbecue chicken with some simple sides.
(37:32):
You could do breakfast for dinner. Who does not love pancakes and eggs?
Pizza night. You can even, instead of ordering pizza, you can make homemade
pizzas with pre-made crusts and various toppings.
A potluck. You can just have a potluck. I know I have one friend who will just
reach out to people and say, hey, why don't you bring your dinner over and let's
(37:52):
eat dinner together. And I think that's so sweet. I love that.
Simple casseroles. Pick some of your favorite casseroles because those you can
usually make ahead and just pop in the oven.
A big batch of chili. That always works well. And throw some cornbread with
it or some chips or something.
Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Just that old time classic makes me think of childhood.
I love to do roasted chicken with roasted vegetables. That's really one of my
(38:15):
favorites to serve. Just chicken pieces in the the oven roasted and a pan of roasted veggies.
Sloppy joes. Who doesn't love sloppy joes and some easy sides?
You can even do some homemade mac and cheese in a side salad.
And then when you're thinking dessert, think fun things you love.
An ice cream bar, brownie sundaes, apple pie and ice cream.
Costco makes a great apple pie when it's that season.
(38:37):
Cookies, cupcakes, Rice Krispie treats. I've used this recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction.
It's a website and it is such a good recipe.
I will try to remember to put that in the show notes. I think I put that out
in my last newsletter to my subscribers.
So if you don't subscribe to my newsletter, you should so do it because I love
to put little nuggets in there that I come across, things I'm reading or recipes
(38:58):
or whatever that might be.
One of my favorites in the summer is is to buy a store-bought angel food cake
and get some strawberries and some whipped cream and do some easy strawberry shortcake.
And then there is nothing wrong with yummy store-bought cookies.
I think about things like Pepperidge Farm or some yummy shortbread cookies.
And with some good chocolate, that and a cup of coffee, that is just lovely.
(39:23):
And then I think the good old s'mores night. And you can set up a s'mores bar
with all kinds of fun options.
You can obviously, you can get as elaborate as you want.
And I know some of you out there are so gifted at baking and cooking,
but I'm just tossing ideas to keep it simple.
And it's just a way we can make it manageable and enjoyable,
focusing on that fellowship and connection that happens around the table together.
(39:46):
So as I'm getting near the end here, I have a little bit left.
I hope you're still hanging with me.
But I want to talk about how we reflect God's character through hospitality,
because hospitality is a beautiful way to do that. It shows his welcoming nature
and how God draws people into his family.
Because when we open our homes and hearts, we mirror God's love,
(40:07):
his generosity, his care, his provision.
It's a way to live out the gospel and invite others to experience God firsthand.
God's hospitality is rooted.
Rooted in his character. Throughout the Bible, we see God as a welcoming and generous host.
He's always ready to extend his love and grace to everyone.
Think about the parables. I think about in Luke 15, the lost sheep,
(40:30):
the lost coin, the lost son, right?
They all show how much joy God has when one sinner repents and comes home.
And God's hospitality isn't just about welcoming us into his family. It is about that.
It's also about his constant care and provision for us.
Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6, 26, that God feeds the birds of the air.
(40:50):
He's highlighting his attentive care for all creation.
And in John 6, 35, Jesus says he's the bread of life, showing that God meets
not just our physical needs, but he also nourishes our souls.
Jesus truly is the perfect host. When we practice hospitality,
we're not just following this biblical command, but we are reflecting God's character to the world.
(41:11):
We're giving others a glimpse of his love and generosity and his care and provision.
Our homes and hearts become places where others can experience God's hospitality.
And that serves as a powerful testimony of our faith. And it invites others
to know and experience God for themselves.
And as we welcome others into our homes, we embody the gospel message.
(41:33):
Just as God welcomed us into his family through Christ, we extend a welcoming
hand to others. As Paul writes in Ephesians 2.19.
Practicing hospitality is another way the Lord works in our hearts.
It's helping us to become more like Jesus. It's to advise us in those challenging
(41:57):
moments and those difficult times.
But as He transforms our hearts and lives, and as we strive to reflect His character,
or we honor him and build deeper and more meaningful connections with those around us.
And always, always, always with the hope of pointing them to Christ,
with the hope of sharing the gospel with them, and that they too would come
(42:17):
to repent and believe in Jesus Christ alone as their Lord and Savior.
Let me just close with some quick and easy ways to start implementing some of
what we talked today to make it practical.
I know it was a longer episode, and I'm so thankful for you being here with me.
You can now find the whole transcript if you're on Apple Podcasts,
on Apple Podcasts, or on Podbean, which is where I host this podcast.
(42:40):
But I do have quite a bit in the show notes, too. So utilize the show notes
if you're looking for links or lists.
I may even make some separate posts with meal ideas and some of the tips talking
about our kiddos and expand on those a little bit more than what I did here.
So maybe look for that. And if you are looking for it, you can also subscribe
to my newsletter because then I will tell my newsletter people that it's there.
(43:03):
So that's one easy way to know it's there.
So let me just summarize a few final thoughts. So embrace it as a command, okay?
Remember that hospitality is not optional for believers, but it's a command from God.
And begin to see it as a vital part of your Christian walk, that it's a way
to honor God by loving others.
And then start small. Don't get it overwhelmed.
Don't do that. You don't need to host this grand event.
(43:25):
Begin with small, manageable acts of hospitality, like very simply inviting
a friend over for coffee or sharing that meal together with a neighbor.
And then plan ahead and keep it simple.
Reduce any stress you might have. Take that away by planning ahead. That's so helpful.
Simple meals, a warm, welcoming attitude are more impactful than elaborate preparations
(43:47):
and involve your family.
Make sure you're including your children in the practice of it.
Let them help with the preparations.
Teach them the biblical basis for welcoming others. Work through that with them.
Pray for your guests. Cover your hospitality in prayer.
Ask God to use your home and your efforts to show his love and grace to those that you welcome.
And maybe start making a list. Very simply, maybe it's just one person or a few people.
(44:12):
Start making a list and start getting those people on your calendar.
Be flexible and be joyful. Embrace that unpredictability of hospitality.
Pray for a joyful and thankful heart as the Lord gives you that opportunity to serve others.
And reflect God's character. Remember that practicing hospitality mirrors God's welcoming nature.
(44:37):
Use your home and your life as a reflection of His love and generosity.
I've said this a zillion times here, but hospitality fosters deeper relationships
and a sense of belonging.
So welcome others into your life and create a community that reflects the love of Christ.
So as I wrap up here, I hope that you're going to see hospitality as a natural
and joyful part of your life as a believer.
(45:00):
And remember, practicing hospitality, it's about reflecting God's love and generosity.
It's not about achieving perfection. It's about opening our hearts and homes
to others, offering comfort and fellowship, and pointing them to the ultimate hospitality of God.
We need to keep the end in mind. The Lord is preparing a place for us in his
heaven where we will feast with the king, we will be seated at his table,
(45:23):
and enjoy his presence forever.
And this beautiful truth should inspire us to practice hospitality here on earth.
I wanna read John 14, one through three.
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you
that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you
(45:45):
to myself that where I am, you may be also.
So hospitality is more than just this social nicety, right? It is a profound
reflection of God's love and generosity toward us.
And as we practice it, let's extend grace just as we've received it.
It's not about having everything perfect, but about showing love,
sharing the gospel with others, and building connections. And each act of kindness
(46:09):
and each open door is a small way that we can extend God's kingdom here on earth.
So I pray, my friend, that after this we will embrace the call to be hospitable
and that we trust as we do that we are mirroring the ultimate hospitality of
God who's preparing a place for us in his eternal home.
Truly, my friend, Jesus is enough always.
(46:30):
Again, the full show notes are at the blog at thankfulhomemaker.com and any
other links I will put there from books to if I get these other posts put together.
If you're enjoying the podcast, I'd so appreciate if you could take a minute
or two to just leave a review wherever you listen in.
It helps others to find the podcast and your reviews are such a bright spot
in my days to come across.
So thank you, thank you, thank you so much for all All of you who have taken
(46:52):
the time to do that for me, I am truly, truly grateful.
I'm truly grateful you're here and listening, and I am grateful for you, my dear friend.
And I do pray that you have a very blessed week.
Music.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!