Sometimes, I read a verse and wonder if God put it there just for me. 1 Peter 4:9 is one such verse. “ Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” Let me explain:
My husband has the gift of hospitality. Like, an extra, heaping, helping of it!
If he knows you are traveling near our home, he will insist you stay with us. It doesn’t matter if there’s two or twenty of you. We will drag out air mattresses and grab pillows and blankets for every couch.
He’s even been known to call me on his way home for dinner and let me know he’s bringing guests. I’ve found myself cutting meat into smaller pieces and praying there be enough in the “loaves and fishes“ kind of way!
For many years, this hospitality gift of his about drove me nuts.
And I grumbled.
A lot.
I thought things needed to be perfect for people to enjoy being at our home. But I’ve learned it’s just the opposite.
My man wants others to feel like our home is their home and the fact is, “perfect” doesn’t do that. “Perfect” is for magazines and museums.
Now, I’m not saying our homes should be full of chaos (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome) —some order is nice!
But, especially this Thanksgiving week, let’s RELAX and simply strive to make others feel welcome and comfortable when we gather.
Let’s be hospitable to each other without grumbling(1 Pet 4:9).
Let’s forsake some stress, let some dust bunnies hang around , give up the need for picture-perfect, and slow down, and enjoy others.
Let’s look at all we have to be thankful for and ask God to help us be hospitable without grumbling. The coffee and pumpkin pie really do taste better that way.
Let’s have thankful hearts and make loving others the priority ..and maybe, just maybe, someone will see Jesus in us as we do.
The One who loves BEST said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35
Oh friend, may we be known by our love for others more than our Pinterest-perfect homes or anything else!
I am a slow learner, but it really is more fun this way!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving Week!
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Kim Jaggers Ministry 