Hospitality

As a young pastor’s wife, I was very concerned about how I would fit into my new environment. Although I was a preacher’s kid and had lived in numerous places growing up, I was not prepared to move to Mississippi in 1967. I had never lived in the South, and the adjustment was difficult. We had to move from our original house because the landlord sold it, and the only house available to us backed up to the city dump. On the evening of moving day, we had to drive fifty miles to attend prayer meeting at one of my husband’s four churches.

One of the dear members looked at me as I walked into the church and headed to the piano, and she questioned my demeanor. I shared with her I was tired as we had moved that day and had driven fifty miles to the prayer meeting.

She told me to come by her house before we left to go home. I thanked her and said we would stop by. Imagine our surprise to find a full meal prepared for us, and she packed up the leftovers and sent them home with us! What a blessing! My other memorable experience with hospitality was after the birth of our first daughter.

One of our members called to explain that she did not have the funds to buy a gift for our newborn. She offered instead to clean our house.

Housecleaning was her profession. I welcomed the offer; I had a nine-month-old and a new baby, and my husband had torn tendons in his knee.

She came the next morning about seven o’clock.

She cleaned, reorganized my pantry, cleaned my oven, and did laundry. She sang the entire time she was cleaning, and when she left at three o’clock that afternoon, dinner was on the stove! What an unforgettable gift! Hospitality does not require fancy table coverings, silver, and crystal. It just means opening your doors and your hearts and welcoming people into your space. I have received many blessings across the years through opening our home and inviting people in. Imagine what would have happened if Abraham had ignored the three men he saw traveling near his home? He entertained not only angels but also the Son of God! It was a God appointment! Do not miss your opportunity to have a God appointment.

Wilma Kirk Lee