Posted in Encouragement

True hospitality is becoming a lost art.  While I wouldn't say I personally have that particular gift, I do love opening my home to others, and try to do so on a regular basis.  As I write this, I can think of a handful of Christians I know who I would say practice hospitality as a matter of course.  In fact, most of my friends could be considered very hospitable ladies.  One of these ladies, whom I have long observed and appreciated as someone who truly has and uses the gift of hospitality, is Maine Mommy Deb.  I remember her and her husband hosting lively youth activities in their home when I was in my teen years.  She is forever opening her doors to welcome friends and even strangers.  In our church, for many years she was known as the lady to host missionaries for dinner or overnight.  She always had visiting singing groups into her home for meals.  Yes, she is truly a lady with a generous, hospitable spirit.

She and her husband were especially generous to host my husband, myself, and our children in their home this past weekend.  As a family, we were so blessed by this lovely time of fellowship.  Her family and mine took the opportunity to share and compare what our children had learned through our study of Unit 1 in Year 3 of Tapestry of Grace.  (Both of our families are using the same year plan in Tapestry this year.  It's amazing the differences in application and implementation that can result from using a flexible curriculum of living books such as Tapestry of Grace.)  I must say, I was impressed with her very talented daughters and the results of their hard work since the beginning of this year.

Now that I have gushed enough and completely embarrassed this dear lady, let me explain why I have shared this.  I want to encourage and inspire others to do the same as this giving and generous family.  Through the simple act of hospitality, we can be a great blessing to fellow Christians, as well as being a testimony to those who are not yet believers.  Let us use the opportunity before us to take the time to open our homes in hospitality.  By doing so, we can be a tremendous blessing, and will in turn be blessed ourselves.