Why Hospitality House?

So a couple of years ago when I started this blog, I chose the name "hospitality house" mainly because that is what I hope Joel & I have always had, and what those of you who have visited us over the past almost twenty years have felt when you were in our home. Whether it was Saint James students for brownies and Risk on the weekends (in the early days) or a whirlwind trip to Atlanta (in the more recent days), renegals from far and near for a bit of southern charm and hospitality, Greenville friends visiting us in Decatur, or seminary friends sleeping on our couch or on the floor, we have always tried to have a house that is warm and welcoming regardless of who visits. No promise of it being chaos-free, but there's always food on the table (or in the fridge) and a cold or hot beverage for anyone who comes by. :-)

Well, I receive a daily devotional from the Henri Nouwen Society that has been unusually timely during these recent difficult days. The one I received this morning is an apt description of why this blog is named what it is. Read on...

True Hospitality

Every good relationship between two or more people, whether it is friendship, marriage, or community, creates space where strangers can enter and become friends. Good relationships are hospitable. When we enter into a home and feel warmly welcomed, we will soon realise that the love among those who live in that home is what makes that welcome possible.

When there is conflict in the home, the guest is soon forced to choose sides. "Are you for him or for her?" "Do you agree with them or with us?" "Do you like him more than you do me?" These questions prevent true hospitality - that is, an opportunity for the stranger to feel safe and discover his or her own gifts. Hospitality is more than an expression of love for the guest. It is also and foremost an expression of love between the hosts.

It is this kind of hospitality that I strive to maintain in our home. And any of you who know Mom know that it is Mom who taught this to me. Those of you who know her know that there was ALWAYS an extra place at the table for anyone who showed up--from hitchhikers that my brothers picked up on their way home from God-only-knows-where, to the guest preacher of the day at HMPC, there was always room for one more. And it is because of that trait in Mom--her ability to make friends with anyone, and to make everyone feel welcome in their home--that we have been inundated with love, support, cards, and concern these past few weeks. It has been a true blessing, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

This week has been quite a whirlwind for us, but we have survived, indeed prevailed, I'd say. We've had only the one doctor's appointment on Monday, and have "rested easy" since then. I am getting better and better in my role as "nurse" when it's time to drain the excess fluid, and Mom is getting better and better in her role as patient. As you all might expect, receiving care is not easy for one who has done the caring so much of her life--but she is learning. :-) Dad, too, is learning--learning more than he ever cared to know about running a household! And he has been a champion about it. All in all, life is good.

So we plod along in this strange new space, with greater appreciation for each day and for the blessings that we have among us and around us. All in all, life is good. Thanks be to God!