Hospitality

For the past week I hosted a pastor from Namibia. She was visiting different churches in our synod. I generally think of myself as a pretty hospitable person. I think hospitality is very important. However, I had never hosted someone in my own space for this length of time. I learned this week how difficult and draining hospitality can be. Hospitality requires that you are constantly on and are always chipper, cheery, and happy. It also requires that you are always ready to listen and answer questions.

I have been hosted by many wonderful people in my life and I wonder how they did it. I especially remember the wonderful couple that allowed me to live in their basement for 12 weeks while I completed my Clinical Pastoral Education unit. I know that I was not as thankful or as pleasant as I should or could have been. Yet, they continued to be my hosts.

I am sure that I did not do the best job possible being a host this week. I know I still have many things to learn when it comes to hospitality. And I came away from this week with a huge amount of gratitude for all the hosts I have had in my life. Thanks be to God for these wonderful blessings!