I felt offended. My spiritual gift evaluation showed that my
strengths emerged in the area of hospitality. “How shallow and frivolous is that?” I thought. “I want
my top spiritual gifts to be something more meaningful and powerful; like
wisdom, evangelism, prayer warrior or teaching.” And yet I read Mother
Teresa’s simple words, “Spread love
wherever you go: First of all in your own house…let no one ever come to you
without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness:
kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile”. Those
practical words changed my attitude and perception about this seemingly useless
gift.
I also had to change my
motive and learn the difference between entertaining
and hospitality. When our motives
for entertaining guests are focused on impressing, it becomes stressful and
exhausting to share our food, our guest rooms, our resources and our valuable
time. To unleash the true beauty of a
hospitable heart, I needed to check my motive for inviting people in my home. I
had to be clear about the difference between impressing and blessing. Impressing is entertaining, and blessing is hospitality.
Entertainment:
Ø Looks for payment; the words, “My, isn’t she a remarkable hostess…”
Ø Says, “I want to
impress you with my home, my clever decorating, and my gourmet cooking.”
Ø Flaunts what we have and wants to impress people. It
is about working hard to make everything look perfect and wearing ourselves out
to astonish people with our creativity and skills.
Ø It is the cover of a slick woman’s magazine with the
alluring pictures of good food and stunningly decorated rooms.
Hospitality:
Ø Is a beautiful and creative gift from God; one that we
can enjoy and explore for the rest of our lives; and it never goes out of
style.
Ø Gives pleasure in giving, doing, loving and serving.
Ø Seeks to minister and says, “This home is a gift and a haven from my Master; I use it as He
desires.”
Ø Is about making the time to share our home, serve
people with love, and intentionally bless those that walk through our doors.
Ø Is about the intimate connection between food and
fellowship. “Cheerfully share your home
with those who need a meal or a place to say for the night” (1Peter 4:9 NIV).
What is it about eating
food together that creates such a sociable atmosphere? We all long to be part of some community; and we find some of this in our favorite coffee shop where
we stop to chat with a friend. We also love to gather on a hot evening at the
ice cream shop or sit on the patio of an outdoor restaurant swapping stories. I
feel that eating together is a spiritual experience; a building of community
through sharing our hearts.
In our present
complicated, “hurry up life”; taking the time to invite people into our homes
to share our food is probably one of the greatest acts of kindness we can
extend to each other. It’s an opportunity to exhibit and share the most
intimate parts or our lives. When we
have people into our homes it says, “Come
and see where we live, and share what we have.”
The Christmas season is the perfect time to use our gift of hospitality to share our homes
with pure and joyful motives. I learned this principle from Jesus. In His final hours on earth, with the shadow
of the cross hanging over Him, Jesus spent His last evening sharing dinner with
His disciples. He chose to share life-changing information with them that night
around a table. It was a place of intimacy created by mouths enjoying the same
food, bodies reclining around the table and eyes meeting across the plates.
Here they enjoyed intimate community.
Our homes and our tables
should be a place to share what is meaningful with each other. After all, this
was the place Jesus commanded us to remember Him by the breaking of bread and drinking
of wine. Our homes are the greatest place to share food, blessings, and the
“good news of Christ”; hand-in-hand.
Heidi McLaughlin lives in
the beautiful vineyards of the Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, British Columbia.
She is married to Pastor Jack and they have a wonderful, eclectic blended
family of 5 children and 9 grandchildren. When Heidi is not working, she loves
to curl up with a great book, or golf and laugh with her husband and special
friends. You can reach her at: www.heartconnection.ca
1 comment:
A timely message, Heidi. You clearly and beautifully distinguish between entertainment and hospitality - and in a very practical way. Thank you.
A truly joyous Christmas to you and your loved ones. ~~+~~
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