Hospitable Hearts

 Hospitality; the giving of yourself. 

We just had to travel for my daughter's doctor's appointment and will be again in two weeks. We are able to stay with one of my Aunts, (one of many and any one of them would accomidate us, and have!)

She said she "did nothing special" for our arrival, stay and departure.  Not true! While she didn't feel she had done a great amount of prep, the giving of yourself, the opening your heart and sharing what you have IS special!

My other Aunt who shares the home with her wasn't there, but had made sure her bed and room were ready for us....

📖 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  Romans 12:12-13

Hospitality is mentioned with "gifts" in scripture, but is not listed as a "spiritual gift" specifically,  but I believe the reason for that is that we are ALL called to be hospitable; Giving of yourself, your time, your resources to make another feel comfortable, cared for, satisfied, assisted, loved...is something very special. 

📖 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:8-11

We have heard the term "a hospitable environment" conditions which allow for something to sustain and grow. But the opposite, inhospitable; an environment that is harsh.

Hospitality doesn't mean you are a great hostess of big gatherings or that you throw a great party.

Hospitality is your heart being open to the needs of those around you, and allowing God's love to work through you...your hands, feet, ears, heart. Creating an environment that can put another at ease. 

📖 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:1-2

Hospitality is more about our hearts than our work or our busyness. 

🙏🏼Lord, I pray that each of us allows You to work in us to have hospitable hearts so that we can show hospitality to those You bring our way, in what ever form that may take. Thank you Lord for the hospitality that is shown to us. ❤️