I confess that the subject matter of this edition’s feature had me somewhat flummoxed. Hospitality. It’s something my mother-in-law excels at, but to which I am not similarly gifted.
I often feel for my husband in this domestic scenario. He grew up in an open-door family home to which people were easily greeted and accommodated, but for me the prospect of feeding and watering more people than our nuclear family fills me with anxiety.
Some of it is practical. I know how to cook for five; I am more stressed when I have to cook for, say, 10. The prospect of feeding more than that truly does keep me awake at night. ‘It’s simple,’ says my husband, ‘let’s just have a barbecue.’ Ah yes, the male answer to everything. He’s right, of course, catering doesn’t have to be such a mission.
But then there’s the whole ‘this-house-is-a-mess’ thing. How can I have people around when they might realise that I haven’t dusted for … cough … weeks? What if they’re sitting on my couch and see the cobweb hanging off one of the lights? What if they judge me and realise I’m no domestic goddess?
I suppose, like the spiritual gifts of celibacy and martyrdom, I could excuse myself by saying we simply can’t excel in every gift within the Church—and that this one just isn’t for me. But then I turn to passages like 1 Peter 4:9 and read: ‘Welcome people into your home and don’t grumble about it.’ There doesn’t seem to be a lot of wriggle room in that one. And, of course, the reality is that whenever we do have people over, it’s great!
So, if you’re like me and hospitality is a somewhat fear-laden concept, I hope this week’s feature is an encouragement to you. It certainly was to me. Maybe those of us who would like to become more hospitable could take some baby steps together, setting aside any fear of not being the perfect host, and starting to see hospitality as far less about ‘performance’ and far more about ‘come as you are’ friendship.
Christina Tyson
Editor
Romans 12:11-13 The Message
‘Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fuelled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.’
Roma 12:12–13
‘Kia hari i runga i te tumanako; kia manawanui ki te whakapawera; kia u ki te inoi; Whakawhiwhia te hunga tapu ina rawakore; kia mau ki te atawhai manuhiri.’