This post was written for Five Minute Friday. The word for today is Hospitality
There was a time in my life when hospitality meant white tablecloths and my grandmother’s fine china and silverware. That was not the case for me this week.
Hospitality meant listening to a woman on the edge of a crisis. She talked almost non-stop for three hours. That’s okay. She needed to spill her heart and unload the heavy burdens she was carrying. She told me they asked her just a few questions when she sought help. They handed her a clipboard and told her to check the list.
Are you suicidal?
Is someone hurting you?
Are you hurting someone else?
Are you homeless?
She answered “No” to all of the above. Yet she was still in crisis. In fact, when they sent her out the door with the news she did not qualify for help, she left carrying another layer of hopelessness.
Today hospitality is not about fine china and a table filled with cheer. No, today hospitality means being radically available for those who need someone, anyone, each of us to simply listen.
Hospitality is about meeting the stranger, listening to stories of struggle and pain, praying, sharing a hug or a word of encouragement.
The good news is everyone can benefit from the hospitality Jesus offers through you. You can make a difference in our world. You can be the ears and heart of our Lord. Listen. Someone you meet today needs to talk and is desperate for the hospitality of Jesus.
Loved your post on Hospitality C.L.! Especially, “hospitality means being radically available for those who need someone, anyone, each of us to simply listen.” Amen!
Visiting from FMF (#25)
Blessings,
Lynne
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Thank you, Lynne
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Yes! I love your definition of hospitality.
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Thank you, Sue. 😉
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Wonderfully challenging!
Thank you. -David Burnet
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🙂
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You’ve really made me think about listening as hospitality. It’s a big part of my job – I think of the extra hour I stayed after seeing a patient when his wife poured out all the worries she had that she couldn’t say in front of him. I do things like this without thinking it’s a big deal but you’re making me reconsider my job in a different way.
Thank you.
Your FMF Neighbour #29
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Thank you for being radically available to those in need. You are doing very important work and I am sure many people appreciate it. For the world’s sake…keep it up, even on the hard days. 😉
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Thanks…… i like this!!
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Thank you, Charlotte. 😉
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“Hospitality means being radically available for those who need someone, anyone, each of us to simply listen.” Yes! This is so important.
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Thanks, Bethany…and it makes a world of difference in people’s lives.
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