“And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

Over the past few weeks we’ve discussed ways to connect with other people and welcome them into our homes and lives. These efforts will often be rewarding, strengthening community bonds and inviting new friendships. Those are wonderful blessings, good for your heart, mind, and soul, but as Christians, there’s another, more important reason behind our desire to love our neighbors.

Jesus asked us to.

It’s that simple. A heart of hospitality honors God through obedience.

Here’s the other thing. Loving our neighbor is something that needs to happen even when it isn’t personally rewarding. Sometimes hospitality it will be downright hard (and sometimes it will be a lot of fun). Some people are easier than others to love. Love them all.

Inviting people into our homes is one form of hospitality, and one way to love our neighbors, but it’s not the only way. Hospitality is more of an attitude of the heart than anything else. I’ve heard it said that hospitality is when someone feels at home in your presence. You don’t have to be at home to make someone feel that way.

How can we make people feel at home when they’re around us? It takes practice and an intentional effort to anticipate the needs of others. I’m still working on it. There have been many times when I’ve spent time with someone, left, and only later did a thought on how I could have helped come to mind! If that happens to you, too, be gentle on yourself. We’re not perfect. It’s the heart that counts.

I find that when an idea comes to mind, on how I can help someone, it’s best to write it down before I forget.

Hospitality is God’s love acting itself out in tangible ways. Let’s be on the lookout for ways to be of service to our neighbors.

Here’s one of my favorite verses on the topic,

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” – Matthew 25:35

Below I’ve listed some practical ways we can love our neighbors. I hope the list inspires you and prompts even more ideas.

Below you’ll find an interview from a dear lady who has a passionate heart for hospitality, Sue Moore Donaldson. She has a lot of wisdom to offer on this topic so I’m so pleased to welcome her…

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What are some of your goals towards hospitality in the coming year? Let's talk about that in the comments!

CONNECT: Hospitality