Welcome to the Mess
- Michelle Stepp
- Sep 23, 2024
- 2 min read
“Open your homes and your hearts to others, knowing everything you have has been given to you by the Father.”
“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9 (ESV)
Does being hospitable mean we have to turn into Joanna Gaines when people come over to our house? Do we have to have the perfect place settings, a pristine house, and provide a five-course meal? No, because that would mean we were entertaining others rather than welcoming them into our home and life. Hospitality requires vulnerability. What I mean, is that it is a vulnerable act to invite people into our homes, where they may or may not see a perfectly clean home. However, rather than perfection, people need to see our messiness. They need to see a home where life is lived.
One day I had a friend who was a college student over. It had been a crazy day of taking care of a toddler and I didn’t have much to offer. However, I knew she would rather share a meal at a table than go to the school cafeteria. So, we dished out canned chili and had an amazing night of fellowship.
We are currently potty training our three-year-old daughter. We had a good friend over for dinner (probably something simple like pasta), and Hannah was walking around naked and using her little potty in the living room. My friend truthfully said, “This is what it means to live life together!”
Hospitality isn’t fancy, but it is real. I would argue that most people would prefer real over fancy any day. Open your homes and your hearts to others, knowing everything you have has been given to you by the Father. He wants to give good gifts to His children because He loves us, but also because He wants us to share those gifts with others.
Action Steps:
Invite a friend or family over for dinner, but try not to stress about the state of your home or what it will look like when they arrive.
Invite someone you just met over for dinner.
Invite someone to join you while you run errands
Written by Michelle, mom of 1