Hospitality. This word can bring up all sorts of feelings for people. Some people jump at the opportunity to invite others to an event or gathering big or small. Some people love attending soirees and potlucks big and small. You may have people who run away and get scared at the thought of having someone over to their home. You may have people who are overwhelmed at the thought of getting ready to leave the comforts of their armchair and a good book. And then, there are those all along the spectrum or change during certain seasons of life. Whatever the reason for loving or not loving a good social event, I’m learning more and more that hospitality IS NOT about that at all! I love the simple message Jen Schmidt shares about opening the door to family and friends and community. It is a lesson I have been working on since I read *THIS BOOK.
The sweetness of community is found in the simplicity of the ordinary. God makes it so easy to find. It’s already right here in front of you.
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Beauty in Open Doors
“Hospitality. What is it, really? When we overstress, overplan, and overthink inviting others into our lives and home, hospitality becomes overwhelming to our souls. We become slaves to the expectations of others…How do we open our door to the unknown without opening ourselves to dread and discouragement? It comes down to knowing the difference between entertaining and hospitality.” We all love a good story and I know many can be shared by opening our doors. It can be challenging to open doors, both the physical front door to our home and also the door to our hearts. It can be messy and we may become discouraged if our love is not reciprocated. But there is so much beauty in just opening the door so others can know they are not alone in the mess, there is someone to lean on, and there is a God who loves us despite our imperfections.
Welcoming Encouragement
Jen does an amazing job with every chapter of sharing from the Scriptures how to love our neighbors well, stories from her own personal experience with actual storms that can bring people together…inside her home…without power…and water…, questions readers have asked Jen about hospitality, an “Elevate the Ordinary” section that highlights important points, and an “Extra Helping” from Jen’s family and friends of their stories of hospitality and what God has done in their lives and the lives of those touched by open doors.
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Your turn: What’s one simple thing you can do to “just open the door?”
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Just Open the Door – Bible Study Book: A Study of Biblical Hospitality – https://amzn.to/2kxQtkn
*Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a tiny percentage if you make a purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure policy here.