Good Ole' Christian Hospitality

I don't normally post twice in one day, but while on the elliptical this morning I had an idea for a challenge. It is my opinion that hospitality is a dying grace. Our lives are busy and we see our homes and weekends as a refuge rather than an opportunity for service. I am as guilty of this as anyone and want to work to change this in my home.

As a child and adult there are many women I have admired for their hospitality and willingness to open their homes. My mother is the first - I remember her planning parties and having friends/co-workers over for dinner regularly...she made it look easy - the worst part was that I would have to pick up my room! As an adult, there are specifically two wonderful women who I admire for the ease, grace, and humility with which they entertain. I only hope to be half as gracious of a hostess as both Sheryl Blazer and Patty Pieper.

My husband and I have been thinking about hospitality and how it can be a vital part of a group of friends or a community of faith. Therefore, I am challenging us to open our home and have friends, neighbors, or members of our church family, over for a meal at least 3 times a month (ideally 4) for the next 6 months. Included in that is moving outside my comfort zone and inviting people of different ages & demographics who we do not know very well but would not usually think of to have over for dinner. Hopefully, the more we stretch outside our comforts, the more we will grow from this challenge. I'll definitely share what goes right and what goes wrong (hopefully more will go right then wrong - hopefully!)...it will be fun! I'm already wondering...what in the world am I going to fix for 18 dinners?!? My go-to company meal of lasagne is going to get old if we eat it every week! Yikes!