I wish I was brilliant enough to take credit for the title of this post, but apparently the Latins beat me to it. That is one version of the definition of hospitality, and I LOVE it. I dare say that if you haven't experienced true, full hospitality, your life is a little less full.
How many people can say they have experienced true hospitality? Not just a meal shared or a quick visit or a cup of tea, but true hospitality. When I look up hospitality, the definitions thrill my heart. They make me long to provide such a thing in my own home, but also to see this type of community come alive in my midst.
So what are some of these definitions? Well, when we look at the Ancient Greeks, hospitality was vital in their society. The two key elements surrounding their interpretation of hospitality was protection and guidance. Interesting, isn't it? Not only is your guest supposed to feel protected in your home, but then also be guided towards their next destination. Both of these indicate to me a form of hospitality that goes far and above what we often see in our current society. These days hospitality has more to do with entertainment and etiquette (not like this gal is prepared to totally throw etiquette out the window...what would I do with all my silver, eek!). I'm sure you can agree that there has been a huge shift in the purpose and practice of hospitality.
Within the bible we see multiple examples of hospitality being practiced or encouraged. Actually I think its one of the most straight up, least disputable scriptures there is..."Practice hospitality" (Romans 12:13). I'm also liking the Indian (as in East) term regarding hospitality, "Atithi Devo Bhava", meaning the guest is God. Which is very similar to the verse in Hebrews that states, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2). Wow.
When Rob and I were dating we were both part of the same life group. Now this family was unlike anything either of us had ever seen before. Crazy South Africans could sum it up. But I'd say crazy, fun-loving, Godly, food-eating, South Africans might be a better descriptor. I'd say its rare that 5 minutes goes by in their home without the sound of laughter echoing throughout the halls. Their home is such a joyful, positive place. Literally the moment you walked through the door on a Thursday night, your mood immediately lightened. Once you arrived you were quickly offered a lovely assortment of food (and of course, goodies), tea, and coffee. You'd sink into their over-sized plush couches, the conversation and laughter would begin, and voila...4 hours had passed and you barely had noticed.
Last night we had a the pleasure of spending the evening over at our friend's house. We have been hanging out with them quite a bit over the last couple months and we have so enjoyed getting to know their family better. They served us a delicious meal (Sri Lankan fish curry to be exact, which was incredible!). Their kids entertained our kids. We had good conversation. Etc, etc, etc. It was a lovely time, and before we knew it, 4 hours had passed and it was way past our kid's bedtimes. I just love those homes that you could spend an entire day in and not feel like you are intruding or overstaying your welcome. I think these homes are becoming rarer and rarer, and its so wonderful to stumble upon these hidden gems!
So this brings me back to my original question. How many of us have experienced true hospitality? I would say last night I sure did. But do I provide it to others? How often do I really welcome others (or heaven forbid, even strangers) into my home? Far less than I would like. I feel that I've improved in this area in our 6 short years of marriage. Back in the day I would be a nervous wreck the entire day preceding the visit, feeling almost sick to my stomach. Even still I can get a bit stressed out. If you can at all relate to me, I'm sure you perceive these master hospitable-types doing it all so perfectly. Their house is always clean, the food is always delicious and piping hot (ahem...there was a cold soup incident a few years back. I nearly died!), and they seem happier than anything to have you into their home. Remarkable isn't it?
Over the past few years, I've really worked on letting go of some things. So what if a few toys are scattered about? Or if my desk is in its usual hideous state? Or if all the dishes aren't put away? Really, when I walk into someone's home, and they greet me and make me feel welcome and loved...do I really require any more of them? No, I don't. But somehow, I imagine that they require more of me. Go figure.
So yeah. Hospitality. It really is a gift. I don't think it comes naturally to many. Or perhaps just not to me. Not saying I don't enjoy having people around. I actually love it. But I wish I didn't feel nervous or stressed or any of those things and could just enjoy. Ahh yes, deep breath Holly. So yeah, as if the love of loved ones isn't hard enough sometimes...but yes, the love of strangers. A sadly peculiar thought in today's world.
How many people can say they have experienced true hospitality? Not just a meal shared or a quick visit or a cup of tea, but true hospitality. When I look up hospitality, the definitions thrill my heart. They make me long to provide such a thing in my own home, but also to see this type of community come alive in my midst.
So what are some of these definitions? Well, when we look at the Ancient Greeks, hospitality was vital in their society. The two key elements surrounding their interpretation of hospitality was protection and guidance. Interesting, isn't it? Not only is your guest supposed to feel protected in your home, but then also be guided towards their next destination. Both of these indicate to me a form of hospitality that goes far and above what we often see in our current society. These days hospitality has more to do with entertainment and etiquette (not like this gal is prepared to totally throw etiquette out the window...what would I do with all my silver, eek!). I'm sure you can agree that there has been a huge shift in the purpose and practice of hospitality.
Within the bible we see multiple examples of hospitality being practiced or encouraged. Actually I think its one of the most straight up, least disputable scriptures there is..."Practice hospitality" (Romans 12:13). I'm also liking the Indian (as in East) term regarding hospitality, "Atithi Devo Bhava", meaning the guest is God. Which is very similar to the verse in Hebrews that states, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2). Wow.
When Rob and I were dating we were both part of the same life group. Now this family was unlike anything either of us had ever seen before. Crazy South Africans could sum it up. But I'd say crazy, fun-loving, Godly, food-eating, South Africans might be a better descriptor. I'd say its rare that 5 minutes goes by in their home without the sound of laughter echoing throughout the halls. Their home is such a joyful, positive place. Literally the moment you walked through the door on a Thursday night, your mood immediately lightened. Once you arrived you were quickly offered a lovely assortment of food (and of course, goodies), tea, and coffee. You'd sink into their over-sized plush couches, the conversation and laughter would begin, and voila...4 hours had passed and you barely had noticed.
Last night we had a the pleasure of spending the evening over at our friend's house. We have been hanging out with them quite a bit over the last couple months and we have so enjoyed getting to know their family better. They served us a delicious meal (Sri Lankan fish curry to be exact, which was incredible!). Their kids entertained our kids. We had good conversation. Etc, etc, etc. It was a lovely time, and before we knew it, 4 hours had passed and it was way past our kid's bedtimes. I just love those homes that you could spend an entire day in and not feel like you are intruding or overstaying your welcome. I think these homes are becoming rarer and rarer, and its so wonderful to stumble upon these hidden gems!
So this brings me back to my original question. How many of us have experienced true hospitality? I would say last night I sure did. But do I provide it to others? How often do I really welcome others (or heaven forbid, even strangers) into my home? Far less than I would like. I feel that I've improved in this area in our 6 short years of marriage. Back in the day I would be a nervous wreck the entire day preceding the visit, feeling almost sick to my stomach. Even still I can get a bit stressed out. If you can at all relate to me, I'm sure you perceive these master hospitable-types doing it all so perfectly. Their house is always clean, the food is always delicious and piping hot (ahem...there was a cold soup incident a few years back. I nearly died!), and they seem happier than anything to have you into their home. Remarkable isn't it?
Over the past few years, I've really worked on letting go of some things. So what if a few toys are scattered about? Or if my desk is in its usual hideous state? Or if all the dishes aren't put away? Really, when I walk into someone's home, and they greet me and make me feel welcome and loved...do I really require any more of them? No, I don't. But somehow, I imagine that they require more of me. Go figure.
So yeah. Hospitality. It really is a gift. I don't think it comes naturally to many. Or perhaps just not to me. Not saying I don't enjoy having people around. I actually love it. But I wish I didn't feel nervous or stressed or any of those things and could just enjoy. Ahh yes, deep breath Holly. So yeah, as if the love of loved ones isn't hard enough sometimes...but yes, the love of strangers. A sadly peculiar thought in today's world.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospitality
http://www.willowparkchurch.com/jeffs-blog/the-practice-of-hospitality/
Love that you list the references at the bottom of the post. Yes, the love of strangers. I was reading the Pedouin Blog where a family of 5 bikes across North America and the amount of kindness they receive from perfect strangers is very refreshing indeed!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read that Greeks understood hospitality to be about protection and guidance I couldn't help but grin! I remembered my time there w/ my friend's family and how they wouldn't let us go anywhere alone (even though she knows the language) b/c they wanted to protect us and how they'd tell us what we wanted to (I suppose that's guidance?!). So if we said we wanted to see something, they'd let us know if we really did or not. I felt like I was suffocating at times!! And yet, I saw and experienced stuff b/c of their hospitality that I never would have been able to otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI like your thoughts. Something to stew on.