Some chapters I loved; some chapters (I confess) bored me.
But together, they convicted me.
NEED IT
But then I’d hit a chapter that would stop me cold. I needed this book. My hospitality quotient is as up and down as I felt the book was. I have seasons of open doors, and seasons where I feel I have no resources to offer.
So when Michele addressed my weak spots, I cringed at my lack of faith in the ever-giving God who lavishes us abundantly with everything we need—and everything we need to give. With the proper perspective, there is no lack with God.
TWO THINGS
I was intrigued especially by:
1. The “40-day experiment in hospitality”
A group of individuals committed to watching for and participating in opportunities to be hospitable for 40 days, and to journal about it. Michele includes many of their entries in the book, and big or small, they added value to her thoughts. The experiment is one I should consider myself, along with doing the book as a small group study (discussion questions are included in the back).
2. The host as guest
The author clearly showed through examples and scriptures that in being hospitable, the hosts receive gifts that the guests bring with them. It’s not as simple as “us helping them” when we welcome others. We need “them” as much as they need “us.” It shouldn’t be doing for them, but rather doing with them. And it’s not just a matter of semantics; it’s a different mindset.
So many times we only see hospitality as an act of service—something we give...In true hospitality, the roles always blend. Loving the stranger means allowing the stranger to minister to us, even though they are the guests.
EXPECT THE FOOD TO BURN
I admit I often dislike cooking because it takes so long to prepare a great meal, yet it is consumed so quickly. But Michele points out that when we see our meals as acts of worship, our attitude toward the work changes. It’s like a handwritten love letter or a homemade quilt—yes, they’re time-consuming and inefficient, but that itself speaks volumes about our feelings towards those we give them to.
Our hospitality and the work and preparation that go into it are offerings. Be extravagant. Place it on the altar and let it burn. What a sweet aroma.
3 comments:
I grew up with a mother that showed me an awesome example of Christian hospitality. Her door was always open. She could always whip up something good for guests to eat. I do like the bit about the hostess allowing herself to be ministered to. Sometimes I can be too much like Martha, and not enough like Mary. :) I'll have to look for this book.
I hear you. My mom was the same way. She set the bar high. When I was growing up, she would invite others to eat with us almost every Sunday, and often it was somebody brand new to church that morning. She was prepared for it. I'm only prepared now to eat out on Sundays.
I excuse myself with "times have changed." So I'll probably never master the big Sunday lunch, at least not consistently. But I do need to continue to seek for ways that will work within my lifestyle.
~ Lisa
This sounds like an intriguing book. I think a lot of us today are already feeling overstressed and the thought of inviting people in for a party or meal brings on almost a feeling of panic. I like your thought of seeking for ways to be hospitable that work within your lifestyle -- like maybe it's bringing a dinner of Kentucky Fried Chicken over to a friend who's under the weather. Maybe it doesn't always need to be a big Sunday dinner at our own homes. Good food for thought . . . Thanks for the review.
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