H is for ...

HOSPITALITY.

"They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts."  Acts 2:46

I LOVE, LOVE this.  The Greek word for hospitality is actually a compound of the words for love and stranger. One of the most talked about elements of the Christmas story is the hospitality shown Mary and Joseph by the innkeeper.   Now to us, it was a little lacking.  I mean, he could have given up his own room to the mother great with child, but nevertheless, he did show love for strangers by giving them a place of rest and refuge. Been really dwelling on this since yesterday when I rest this section in Acts in my quiet time.  And I was blessed with the opportunity to show hospitality to the teams of students I work with at BCM by having them over for dinner last night.  That is one of my most favorite things ... and again, I just don't do it enough ... because I don't plan ahead, or my house is a mess, or I am tired, etc.  Ironically, last night when the crew was leaving ... almost every single GUY (girls are just not wired to speak like this to each other) said, "Karen, thanks for the hospitality" ... and I thought ... hmmmm ... what an odd choice of words (generally, it's thanks for the food ...) but I think it was just God's reminder of HIS mandate to extend hospitality ... not just in our homes, but in our lives.  SOOOOO, I am rubbing the sleep out of my eyes this morning, as extending hospitality meant for me, getting over my wreck of a guest room (it's the North Pole right now) and inviting one of my students to spend them night ... which meant we stayed up to the wee hours chatting ... and I loved it.  Such a sweet freedom in living how God has made us to live.  My challenge for the remaining days leading up to Christmas is to practice hospitality each day in a tangible, intentional, and out of the box kind of way.  SOOOOOOOOO, here we go: love + strangers.  Day #1 2.

Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.  God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (I Peter 4:9-10 NLT)