The Call to Hospitality

Sometimes we need reminding that a little hospitality can make a big difference.

A couple of months ago, we had some new neighbors move in down the street. I went out and bought the ingredients to bake them something to welcome them to the neighborhood. That’s what my neighbors did when we moved in and I have always remembered how nice it was to feel welcomed.

Because of their kindness extended to my family, I wanted to pass that on.

This is the deep south, so cooking is how we show our appreciation and respect for just about everything, from new babies, to someone being sick, to new neighbors, and even when someone passes away. Cooking for people is how we show hospitality.

The Bible even talks about hospitality. One of my favorite verses is 1 Peter 4:9, “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

It speaks to me because, I must admit, I sometimes grumble about cooking. It’s just not something I love to do. I do it, but I have been known to grumble about it.

After the moving truck left, I kept looking to see if my neighbors had moved in so I could bring them a treat, but they were never out in their yard and their garage door was always closed. At first, I thought maybe they hadn’t truly moved in yet. But, as time went by, I decided they probably just weren’t friendly folks. They went to work and came home, locked everything up tight and stayed indoors.

I convinced myself that they wouldn’t appreciate my hospitality.

Turns out I was wrong. A couple of weeks ago, I was coming back from a walk, and a car at that house, pulled to the end of the driveway. A woman got out and put something in the mailbox. I went up and introduced myself. She was very friendly. We chatted for a few minutes and I learned they had come from Pennsylvania.

When I told her we were going to bake them something to welcome them to the neighborhood, she seemed very surprised and touched. But, then I told her I couldn’t ever catch them at home because their garage door was always closed.

She told me they always keep their garage door closed even when they are at home. She thought everyone else did too.

Yikes! I had read that situation completely wrong. I just assumed, incorrectly, that they were unfriendly and didn’t want anyone knocking on their door because I held them to my preconceived notion.

I wonder how often I do that.

It’s hard to be the new kid on the block, any block. When we can do a little something to make people feel welcome to our street, our workplace, our school, our community, our family, or even our church, I think we are called to do that.

When we reach out and extend hospitality, like my neighbors did so many years ago, we encourage others to do the same. And couldn’t we all use a little more kindness these days?

A conversation with a new neighbor reminded to always remember the gift of hospitality no matter what our preconceived notions may be. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂