I visit a lot of people at their homes.  For a long time, I have been making visits as part of my ministry but the number of visits has drastically increased as I campaign for a position on the city council in Hurst.  On the average day, I currently make 3-4 house visits a day.

Many of these visits consist of a brief chat on the porch as I am dropping off a campaign sign, or checking on the well-being of a church member who has been struggling with health issues.  The visits I enjoy most are the ones where we go in the house and sit to chat for a while.  A few observations on hospitality…

I came to see you, not your mess.

If you were to come to our house today you would be greeted by the final stages of the BIG spring wardrobe switch.  My wife has been diligently working on sorting and folding clothes from both the girls as we transition seasons and clothing sizes.  The stacks of clothes and the bins are just part of our life at the moment.  I’m always impressed with folks who can keep a constantly spotless home but with two young children and their friends, that’s not us at the moment.  Our house is a hub of activity for many of our family and friends and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Most people act differently when they’re at home.  I enjoy looking around a person’s living room as we sit and chat about life or the matter at hand.  Family photos, unique furniture items, specially displayed mementos – they all paint a fuller picture of the person I am visiting.  I consider it an honor to be invited into someone’s home, their most personal space in this world.

We have long held the policy that things don’t have to be perfect for people to come over to our house.  The sink might be full of dishes, there might be shoes EVERYWHERE (seriously, how many shoes do these children have) – the important thing is that we are welcoming and hospitable to our friends and others who might pop by.  We’re real people raising real children and sometimes life gets a bit messy 🙂

Bring the kids.

I tend to involve my kids in my home visits, if it is appropriate.  Saturday we popped by the apartment of some friends from church to encourage them, since we were in their neighborhood.  They live in an apartment building for senior citizens and we believe it is very important for young children to spend time with older folks.  We had just come from an Easter egg hunt so the kids had their baskets with them.  Eggs and candy came out, some grass got on the floor, but the things that I was watching cautiously were completely ignored by our hosts.  They were happy to have some young kids (and young adults) who came by to spend some time.

I try to involve the kids in some of my campaign visits too.  The difference between our youngest and oldest is amusing.  With our oldest, if we’re invited inside, she will typically stay right by my side.  She’s conversational and polite but doesn’t stray far.  Our youngest…well…I have to keep a close eye on her.  She’ll wonder off into people’s homes, immediately making herself at home.  Luckily she’s a cutie so most folks just find it amusing.

My parents took me on a lot of visits when I was growing up.  I was painfully shy when I was younger but I believe the foundation they laid of visits and conversation has led me to where I am today.  Our kids know that they will not be on a screen when we are visiting someone.

Show hospitality to one another…

Did you know that hospitality is often spoken of in the Bible?

⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace… – 1 Peter 4:8-10 ESV

Hospitality is also listed as a qualification for a church leader in 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8.  Why is hospitality included among other significant qualifications?  From my study and observation, it is essential to being approachable and connected.  We do ourselves no favor as neighbors, friends, or brethren when we lock our doors and don’t let anyone in.

In an age of instant communication – where even phone calls are starting to feel old fashioned – taking the time to travel to someone’s home for a visit makes a huge impact.  Let me encourage you to visit someone you know… perhaps an older person who might be lonely, the caretaker of a spouse or family member with a long-term illness, a friend who is struggling.

Hospitality is a two way street – it takes someone to show hospitality and someone to receive it.