me when people say they are not “gifted” in hospitality, because I used to feel
that way. Here I am now, inadequate me, passing on what I have learned to you. In Titus
2:3–5, the Apostle Paul talked about the importance of older women mentoring younger
women and having happy homes. It is my encouragement to use your home to reach
out to those around you, one step at a time. It doesn’t have to be a holiday party; maybe
invite someone over for coffee or tea for starters, and then take it from there.
5
Each of us has our own journey that grows and shapes us, teaching us how we can
best share kindness with others. We should make it a habit to be generous and
gracious to others, and to let them know that no matter how late or inconvenient
the hour, they can show up at your door and crash for the night, or maybe you can
provide a listening ear. Perhaps a neighbor needs the leaves raked or a meal during
a time of crisis. There are countless ways to help others. This book will barely scratch
the surface, but I hope to inspire you to take a fresh look at hospitality and the many
ways you can be welcoming to others.
7
PART 1
The Big Idea
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
—Romans 12:13 (NIV)
9
CHAPTER 1
Hospitality is Giving
of Ourselves
“Hospitality isn’t about inviting people into our perfect homes,
it’s about inviting them into our imperfect hearts.”
—Edie Wadsworth
10
When I was growing up, we did not have people come to our home. It was an older
home, and our mom did not feel it was ready for guests. As a child, I wanted to
be able to have people over. Maybe that is why hospitality has become such an
important part of my life today.
When my husband Craig and I first got married, I could not wait to set up our
nest. Craig was attending college and working as a manager at Taco Bell to
support us. We lived in such a tiny place that there was not much to set up.
We had a little garden spot behind our duplex where I attempted a garden, but
the ants that infested our backyard devoured it. Next, to make our duplex look
homey and cheery, I set flower pots in the front yard; the snails living in the
ground cover ivy plantings feasted on them, and my beautiful flowers became
barren flower pots filled with dirt and snail slime tracks. Never mind that
decorating on the inside was a further exercise in futility, as whenever we got a
good rain, runoff water took the shortcut through our bedroom on its way to the
sea, soaking everything in its path and even ruining my art supplies, which had
been stored in our dresser.
We were deeply in love, and it’s a good thing, as reality in that duplex was nothing like
what I had dreamed our first home as newlyweds would be.
Although that first house was not optimal, we hosted a few dinners with friends in
that little place during those eighteen months. Entertaining in that home was very
much like going grocery shopping with limited funds and a long list of items you
want. It was challenging, and it forced me to plan and to rely on creativity when the
money wasn’t optimal.
11
Entertaining is a mindset; everywhere we moved was like a clean sheet of paper and a
new box of crayons. Each new place presented us with new options to entertain, and it
was challenging (and fun!) to figure out how to make each new residence a homey place
with new issues regarding how to best utilize new spaces, decorate bare walls, and set
up each new kitchen. I am so thankful that my husband enjoyed those times of change
with me and let me open our home. He didn’t have to. He would much rather have
alone time with our family. I love those times, too, but something pushed me on. I don’t
really know why I wanted company so much, but I wanted to create a haven for our
family that was sufficient for us to host friends and family, have game nights, and offer
a place for neighbor kids to play. To make your home a hub, the key is to be
ready and
willing
and to be
open
to the possibilities. Maybe an opportunity will only come once,
ever. Take that opportunity.
