There have been so many good books written about hospitality, so many studies (see my recent faves “The Gospel Comes With a Housekey” by Rosaria Butterfield, “Dinner Changes Everything” by Kelly Welk @ciderpresslane, and “Making Room” from @shereadstruth) and sermons and lessons…. and I love them. But opening our homes, hearts, and lives to our neighbors is easier in some seasons than others. There have been years when Steve and I excelled in this, but starting a farm business from scratch in 2012 took so much of our attention, and for the past 6-8 years this has been an area where I have truly struggled. 

Any small business owner knows how much mental and physical energy goes into just keeping the business going, and then there’s been the layer that our home is at our farm… And it’s incredibly hard to keep everything looking “just right“ for company while bootstrapping such an exposed and manual-labor oriented business. This has been our particular difficulty, but everyone’s got one. Every season can hold seemingly insurmountable obstacles to opening our doors and welcoming in our brothers and sisters. 

But the truth is God’s Word tells us to do it. It doesn’t say, “when it’s convenient,” or “when your home is perfect,” or “when you’re sure your kids will behave,” or “when you’re well-rested and have no need for copious amounts of under eye concealer so you don’t frighten your guests….” Seriously, I’ve waited for too many of these things! 

So this year we’ve committed to engaging more, to going ahead and inviting even when it’s hard. I am refusing to succumb to paralyzation when things aren’t perfect.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” I Peter 4:8-9