EMERGENCY HOSPITALITY
Do you find that some of your most ministry focused hospitality moments are unplanned? The doorbell rings and you see a church member, neighbor, or friend who is hoping youhave a moment to talk? Often, these stop by visits catch us by surprise. Because life in the parsonage, or in your own home, is many times marked by unscheduled, but divinelyappointed moments, it’s helpful to have an “Emergency Hospitality Plan.”
Unless you are extremely organized, it is difficult to have the whole house “visitor ready” 24/7. It’s helpful to remember that when people stop to see you it’s because they want tosee YOU, not necessarily take a tour of your whole home -although that can be fun too.
One way I’ve found to take off some of the pressure of the unknown, is to simply try andkeep one room (in our case - the front living room) reasonably free of clutter and dust. I also try and keep one simple box of crackers and/or cookies on hand for hungry guests. Knowing that I have either a bottle of yummy fruit juice, or a box of herbal tea in thecupboard, takes the panic of figuring out what to serve a friend in need.
Another helpful hint is to have a child-friendly box filled with toys, coloring books, crayons, for little guests who may be along with parents who stop by. Having something toentertain their hands, gives more time to dedicate to find out what’s on Mom’s heart and to hear how you can be of help to her.
What about when your husband calls saying that someone is in need of a place to stay forthe evening? Even if you don’t have a room dedicated to being your guestroom, you canhave a “room in a box” by having a comfortable air matress, sheets, blankets, and a pillowall stored together for use on short notice. Adding a set of towels to the linens saves evenmore last minute time.
Hopefully you can enjoy and come to see drop-in visitors as opportunties to exercisehospitatily and to consider your home an ER for those in need of the encouragement wecan offer in Jesus.
