hospitality

Anyone out there wondering whatever happened to "hospitality"? The kind of thing we do when we open our homes to each other or strangers. The word literally means "kindness to strangers" or the "love of strangers". The word "stranger" has a scarey connotation to a lot of us today, but does that mean we just don't do it because it sounds scarey or invasive of our privacy? It still is the heart of God. So I wonder how much we miss when we simply hide away in our castles, protected from all the people on the outside.

Growing up it seemed like we were frequently in each other's homes. It was normal; we got to know each other; and our lives were enriched. We recently welcomed some "strangers" into our home who needed a place to stay while they supported a family through a court case. They are believers in Jesus from another faith tradition. We agreed to some boundaries and, after sensing it was the right thing to do, we welcomed them. While we have made it affordable for them to support this family in crisis, we have been enriched. We have heard their stories of living in Morrocco for 4 years as missionaries and of hosting Muslim students in their home. Because of hospitality, we have seen more of how God has moved in our world. We have been encouraged by the faith of one of their Muslim students who committed to follow Christ despite his family's death threats on his life. The whole experience has added more texture to our lives.

I know that I've been cared for many times by people opening their homes to me in a time of need. It's a great idea. "Practice hospitality", says God. Don't you think it's about time to recover what is fast becoming a lost art?

Sincerely,

Rick