Hospitality is the unifying gift of trust the world needs.
At some time or another, we have all run into that person that is overly giving – it’s just who they are. In fact, I would venture to say that we wouldn’t have to think very hard before we could identify that one person – who we maybe only met once and likely don’t even remember their name – that changed us for the better because of their hospitality. Not everyone can be that giving all the time; and in all honesty, today’s prices for traditional hospitality “items” have skyrocketed to make it seem that hospitality toward especially strangers is likely nonexistent anymore.
However, I met two women today that were exactly the hospitality that my busy day needed. The strange thing is it had nothing to do with offering me a drink, a snack, or even offering me some advice on how to stay safe in the hot and humid day that we were blessed with today. Instead, their hospitality was relational. They focused on what united us – even talking about Lancaster, PA, Penn State football, and the old quartet songs of the Cathedrals. What I thought was going to be a short politically based conversation morphed into one of the most encouraging encounters I have ever had while talking to voters across our country. What’s even better is that Linda and her mother (shown below) asked for my name and a photo to add to their prayer room in their house; so, while we may not connect again physically, we could still encourage each other spiritually through our faith in God. These women didn’t know me from Adam; yet they welcomed me into their home, offered compassion and joy, and ultimately gave me a boast in courage to keep up the good fight while glorifying God in everything and everywhere.
We need more people like Linda and her mother that are willing to be hospitable even to those we don’t know. You never know what the impact may be from that small act of kindness, word of encouragement, or addition to your prayer list – not just on the person themselves but on those that are impacted by them as a domino effect of your actions. Hospitality does not always cost you anything but your time, a little bit of courage, and a dash of trust that God will use you for a purpose far beyond yourself.
