My friend Sue is a host of hosts.  I think social distancing must’ve been her husband’s worst nightmare; I’ve never seen a day go by that she’s not sharing about inviting someone, inviting us all to do the same.  🙂  She truly sets the example for Christian hospitality, living an “inviting life.”  When she invited me to be a guest on her podcast, Living a Legacy Life, I returned the invite for her to share some of her thoughts (and adorable nature) here.  (In a recent text, Sue said she was “old, but cute.”  I disagree with the first and heartily affirm the second.)

I share a lot here about opening your heart and your door, inviting others into your life so that you might share God’s love with them.

• Here are four ways you can offer hospitality purposefully (even when hosting his hard, you can make a call and pray for a friend, go for a walk, or write a letter)!
• Receiving hospitality is just as important as offering it (and maybe better with grain-free apple frangipane  cake 🙂  ).
• Hospitality is about feeding hungry hearts.

There’s one simple reason why we have to live an inviting life…

Sue exemplifies it well.  Here are some thoughts from Sue:

A friend was explaining why she had joined a strategic health coaching program. It sounded a little rigorous to me – maybe because my idea of fruit is banana bread with chocolate chips.  (Banana = potassium.)  Nevertheless, she said, “I needed to know my ‘why’ to give me the necessary motivation.”  I get that. The bigger the challenge, the deeper our ‘why’ needs to be so we persevere with strength, courage, even joy.

So often “doing hospitality” can be that bigger challenge, especially if you didn’t grow up in a hospitable home. The deeper ‘why’ helps me invite my world and keeps my heart and home open, for heaven’s sake.  Knowing my deeper ‘why’ helps keep my heart and home open, for heaven’s sake.

Here’s why I do hospitality.  Maybe you can relate:

God invited me.

When I invite someone over, I get to show off His welcoming heart and pass on His invitation. That motivates me to change the sheets one more time and invite the stranger, the friend, the “extraordinarily funny sheep” as Oswald Chambers said.

In John 21 Jesus tells Peter what his job is: feed His lambs.  Feeding lambs was Peter’s job, and it’s ours as well. As Oswald Chambers wrote, there are many funny sheep—I’m one of them.

“Peter now realizes with the revelation of the Lord’s hurting question that he does love Him; then comes the point: ‘Then spend it out! Don’t testify how much you love me . . . feed my sheep!
And Jesus has some extraordinarily funny sheep, some bedraggled, dirty sheep, some awkward, butting sheep, some sheep that have gone astray. It is impossible to weary God’s love, and it is impossible to weary that love in me if it comes from the one centre.  The love of God pays no attention to the distinctions made by natural individuality. If I love my Lord, I have no business to be guided by natural temperament; I have to feed His sheep.”
– My Utmost for His Highest, March 3rd

You may know a sheep or two in your neighborhood but you haven’t invited them yet. It takes courage and practice. It’s called Practicing Hospitality for a reason. I feel more at ease with practice. Like playing the piano, if you know a piece by heart, you can play freely for the joy of others and yourself. The more practice, the more at ease, the more I can focus on the guest who may feel even less at ease.  (And no worries.  You have time to pray for courage and creativity.)

These steps have helped me practice hospitality when hosting gatherings:

*We may be in a season where inviting is difficult.  If this is for you, you’ll love these ideas for “Loving Your Neighbors at a Distance” from Katie at Hospitable Homemaker!

• Use email or print invitations to invite others (even if it’s to a zoom call “coffee!).  Include your email for easy RSVP!
• Ask guests to bring a favorite mug.
• Say YES to offers to bring something.
• Consider using nametags; assign someone to hand them out!
• Have decaf options and ice water.  🙂
• Light a candle for ambience.
• Keep toys handy for little ones or hire a teen to give moms a break by playing with kiddos in the yard or the next room!
• Make it ahead.  Double and freeze.  Anything you do in advance makes the day-of easier!
• Have a few icebreaker questions ready – favorite pastime, where you’re from… thoughts that can help others start to connect.
• Don’t forget to introduce guests to each other (or ask someone else to do this!).
• Pray for each person before and after!

{Sue has a free detailed printout with these tips available on her site here!}

Want a wonderful recipe to share when inviting neighbors for coffee?  Paleo peach streusel muffins are healthy and delicious.  You can mix up the dry ingredients the day before, too!  Try these wicked dark chocolate flourless cupcakes if you’re feeling fancy.  Or if coffee doesn’t hold your interest, try a simple (but beautiful) cheese platter!

Here’s why we have to live an inviting life:

This “deeper why” has helped me invite others:  God’s Invited Me.  {How do we know we’re invited to know God?}

1. God anticipated your arrival. “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)  He made the earth and heaven and then you!
2. God provided the perfect welcome.  “You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings” (Psalm 23:5,6).
3. God knows how to set a table. He loved you first.  “This is real love — not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (I John 4:10).
   He loves us so much, and proved it!

By His life on earth, His death, and His resurrection, Jesus created the ultimate invite to live life in Him!

Better together,
Sue

About Sue: As a Retreat Speaker, Bible teacher, or workshop leader, Sue loves sharing who God is with whoever comes her way. For her, intentional hospitality for the sake of Jesus is a joy and a privilege, and she knows it can be learned!  Sue and her husband Mark reside in San Luis Obispo, California where they’ve raised three daughters, Bonnie Sue, Bethany and their “surprise” treat at almost 44, Mary Grace.

Resources for you!

• Sue’s book Table Mentoring – A Simple Guide for Coming Alongside – is the most practical resource for building relationships for the sake of legacy-leaving!
• Have you read Rosaria Butterfield’s The Gospel Comes With a House Key?  It’s rocking worlds and challenging hearts and changing neighborhoods.
• This interview with Rosaria is a really practical example of how we can offer welcome, to share God’s love with others; it’s a perfect example for why we have to live an inviting life.
• Sue mentioned My Utmost For His Highest; I love this book with devotional journal in one!
• The Christian Hospitality Network is a whole different kind of hospitality.  It serves missionaries to bless them and help them rest & renew.  Have you heard of it?
• This post with 17 reasons why NOT to practice hospitality really hits home!

Inspiring (the inviting kind of) welcome,

angela