This post is a part of the Five Minute Friday link up. We write for just 5 minutes on a 1-word prompt without heavy editing, and see what happens. Today’s prompt is “hospitality.”
Once upon a time I took a spiritual gifts test which determined that I had the gifts of administration and hospitality. Being fairly young in my journey with Jesus, I didn’t completely know what that meant, but I did know that I was pretty organized and good at keeping things going, and that I liked to be with people.
Is that all there was to it?
As the years have gone by, my home has become one in which people like to gather. It’s not huge, it’s not fancy, it’s not even all that clean (I had a friend describe it as clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy), but people are welcome and they know it.
Every Christmas we have a huge gathering of friends for Christmas dinner. At last count we were at 50-something, I think. I have people call and say, “We don’t have plans, can we come to your place?” Even when the number seems overwhelming, nobody is turned away. Most of us have moved far from our family of origin, so our friends have become that family to us.
Every time that I think about maybe scaling back and tightening our circle, I look around at the faces and there’s not a one I would consider losing. How do you purposefully cut off a hand or a foot?
And so we continue setting tables on the back porch, thankful for the mild December weather in Florida, and rejoice in the bounty of our friendships.
Wow – sounds like a great Christmas party! I hope that others find my house clean enough to be healthy but dirty enough to be happy!!
Thanks, Jennifer! Not being a perfectionist helps!
Lovely message…Reminds me of the model left on biblical record for us all….
“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved…Acts 4:46-47
Ah, yes. Doing life together. That’s a big part of the point. Thank you!
Hospitality is time to embrace family gathering through out the year at certain times by having a cookout Ang grilling out and on holidays. Having friends as family also. Doing life together and catching up on each other lives that they live is a big deal to me with family and friends.
I apologize profusely for not seeing this comment before now! We have similar philosophies 😊
Tara, Abba has anointed and used your word more than you know! Have Your way in our lives Lord!!
“How do you cut off a hand or foot?”
Exactly.
The places where the dreams once stood
are overwhelmed with sleeping crates.
Instead of building wings of wood,
I supervise dog play-dates.
To build an aeroplane, what a goal!
I had the skills and will,
But then I saw the savage toll
in dogs destined for the kill.
They only asked for love (and food!)
and for a place to sleep,
How could I turn from good,
and still be Jesus’ sheep?
I still look up with wistful gaze,
but would not trade these happy days.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/08/your-dying-spouse-659-say-what-fmf.html
Thanks, Andrew. Your skill with rhyme is amazing! Thanks for your soft heart.
Stephanie, Your pictures made me want to come over-it looks so cozy! And to eat outside in December? Yes please!
October to April is the best time in Florida. Y’all come!