Hospitality Lesson
February 4, 2008 by Mommy Zabs
Filed under Motherhood, Staying Organized
I had Lukas at an indoor playground the other day and could not help over-hearing a conversation happening next to me. The ladies had apparently gone to some meeting at their church where the speaker was discussing hospitality. There was one simple message I heard them repeat that will probably stick with me forever.
The goal of hospitality is the other person. If someone stops by unexpectedly and all you can think about is your messy house than you have missed the point. Thinking about your messy house is self-focused because you are worried about how you look to other people. True hospitality is more concerned with the person visiting and making sure they are taken care of.
Ouch.
How often am I super-obsessed with trying to get my house look perfect when people are coming over. Its not that trying to have a clean house is bad at all. BUT the moment that person enters the door it is to be about them, not about how I feel about myself. If I’m worn out or stressed out from house-cleaning I have passed a limit. This is something I will be thinking about every time I get in a bad mood because I can’t get my house into the perfection I want it to be.
nicole fortunato on Mon, 4th Feb 2008 1:58 pm
man. i am also asking God to change me in this way. it is so true.
meridith on Mon, 4th Feb 2008 3:13 pm
ouch is right! wow.
Jordan (MamaBlogga) on Mon, 4th Feb 2008 5:30 pm
On the flip side of the coin, if by chance your house is already clean (you must have been expecting company!), the thought never has to enter your mind, and you’re free to serve without inhibition.
Maybe THAT’s why cleanliness is next to godliness (having so very little personal experience in . . . well, either
).
Mommy Zabs on Mon, 4th Feb 2008 5:57 pm
very interesting take on it Jordan… however it breaks down when you are surprised by a guest…
momlovesbeingathome on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 12:10 pm
Great post! We women do tend to obsess about stuff like this don’t we!
By the way, tag - you’re it.
Angie on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 12:43 am
Double ouch! That is definitely the first thing I think of when someone comes by, unexpectedly, or even with a little notice. It’s not always easy to have it tidy, when I homeschool, have a home business (sewing, etc.), and babysit a 2 year old. I really need for God to work in my heart when it comes to this.
But I know that my friends are true friends, because they are the ones to whom the condition of my house matters less than how I am doing.
Amy on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 2:48 am
Great post. I used to obsess over tidying up for guests although I’ve relaxed a little since our 3rd child, plus we don’t have guests over nearly as much.
Teresa on Sat, 9th Feb 2008 10:54 pm
Hospitality is an ancient human value, and one that I think is neglected in modern society. Think about ancient times when it was considered a breach of honor to allow a guest arriving at your door to be harmed…whether they were invited or not!
As a non-theist, people expect me to rudely rebuff missionaries who come to my door…but that’s not the way I was raised. If someone comes to your door, all ancient customs demand that you see to their needs and treat them politely.
Nobody, missionary or salesman or political canvasser leaves my door without an offer of a cool drink on hot days, or a warm beverage on cold days, and some temporary shelter from the elements and a moment of rest.
Though my house is often messy…I don’t worry about it. I figure most people are happy to have a cool place to rest on a warm day, and a warm place to rest on a cold day no matter how many action figures and other stray items are laying around!
And if they don’t like the condition of my house, then there’s not a lot I can do about that!
(((((HUGS))))) sandi on Fri, 19th Sep 2008 3:19 pm
I found this post while searching for an e-mail forward~you know the one where the Dad comes home and finds the kids running wild and the house literally a disaster? When he sees his wife reading in the bedroom and asks what’s up, she replies, “You know how you always ask me what I do all day long? Well today I didn’t do it.” LOL!
Anyway, this is MUCH more of a blessing to find~thanks for sharing! (((((HUGS))))) sandi