| Circle of Friends: Practicing Hospitality | | Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 5:00am |  Well, the holiday season is upon us—the time of year when we tend to show hospitality to friends and family. For over thirty years the nightly question at our house was not, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” but, “Mom, how many plates should I set on the table?” The number for dinner usually came out somewhere between twelve and eighteen people, every night.
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it," (Hebrews 13:2).
In 35 years of marriage, my husband, Timothy and I have entertained many “angels.” Sometimes these angels have stopped by to say “hello” or to share a meal. Others have come to live with us and to be part of our daily lives. Battered wives and their children, college students, singles and over thirty at-risk children and teens found our door open.
God does not call every family to such a ministry. In today’s world, we must be cautious of entertaining “strangers.” However, as Christians, God calls us to practice hospitality and to “share with God’s people who are in need,” (Romans 12:13). So who do we invite into our homes? Every family has their own circle of friends and relatives, and during the holiday season we are more apt to show hospitality. Here are a few suggestions of who you can show hospitality to:
- Your childrens' friends. Invite them to come to your house after school or for the evening. We allowed kids in the neighborhood to do their homework on a designated computer and they received some love and attention as well.
- Your church community. Invite families from your child’s Sunday school class. Try especially to reach out to the elderly or singles at your church. Let your house fulfill this passage, “God sets the lonely in families,” (Psalm.68:6).
- Your neighbors. Bake cookies with your children and welcome a new neighbor with a dish of goodies. Allow your child to select a gift for a new baby expected in the neighborhood or water the plants of a sick neighbor.
- Your child’s teacher. We entertained several of our childrens' teachers. Inviting a teacher for lunch or dinner enlightens a child that his teacher is human and needs a little love too.
We teach our children to practice their musical instruments and the multiplication tables, so why not teach them to practice hospitality. The holiday season is a great place to start. Have a wonderful hospitable season!
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