CULTIVATING A WELCOMING SPIRIT
I believe in lifelong learning and fostering curiosity. Hospitality is NOT a gift that comes naturally to me so I am taking the chance to discover new things about this spiritual discipline.
This month I have been exploring the practice of hospitality and cultivating a welcoming spirit as the topic for September’s Tending the Holy Thursdays. So far I have shared an overview of hospitality, tips for nurturing a welcoming spirit, especially for those of us who are introverts, and quotes and resources for this discipline. You can click on the highlight words in the previous sentence to find those blog posts if you didn’t get a change to read them.
When I feature a spiritual practice or a person of faith I usually write an additional resource to share with you. This month I wrote a free download to accompany this study, titled “15 Thought-Provoking Definitions of Hospitality.” You can get it at no cost by clicking on the button at the end of the post. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the tip sheet will enhance your walk with God.
As we close this series, I am sharing 5 lessons about cultivating a welcoming spirit.
5 Lessons about Cultivating a Welcoming Spirit
- Hospitality is a mindset of generosity and creates an environment where a person feels accepted, wanted, and loved. It is unselfishly serving others in a warm and friendly manner. It is NOT just cooking, cleaning and hosting a party.
- Don’t let the emotions of feeling inadequate or embarrassed about not knowing about a spiritual practice prevent you from exploring and learning more about it. I admitted to more than one person that I have difficulty in being hospitality but decided to delve into the topic. I read, I listened. I gathered ideas to try and took a few small steps in adventuring into this new practice. I won’t ooze with a welcoming spirit immediately but know with God’s help I can try.
- Remembering the quote: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.” (Philo of Alexandria) stirs up compassion and generosity that nurtures a willingness for hospitality. See Christ in all I meet does too.
[Tweet ““Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.””]
- Hospitality is a lifestyle that models God’s love and acceptance of us. We love and accept others because God first offered that gift to us. It’s not an option or occasional feel good practice or a limited to only those gifted with this ability – we are all called to be welcoming.
- The first week I shared with you that I felt when God gathered all the ingredients together to create the recipe that he used to shape my soul, I think he forgot something..Hospitality! I thought that I didn’t have a speck, a dash, or even a tiny smidgen of the stuff. My biggest lesson about cultivating a cultivating a welcoming spirit is this: I was wrong.
Hospitality is more about the heart than the well-kept house, the fancy meal, or the chit-chat. It arises from my spirit and pours into another’s soul. Hospitality stretches my heart to create a welcoming room for a fellow sojourner to come, rest, and visit for a while. This introvert can do that.
[Tweet “Hospitality stretches my heart to create a welcoming room for a fellow sojourner to come, rest, and visit for a while.” Jean Wise”]
While attempting hospitality, I discovered hidden away within me that missing ingredient that was there all the time. God did not forget to add hospitality to my DNA.
My heart finally held enough light to find it.
Don’t forget I created a free download to accompany this study, titled “15 Thought-Provoking Definitions of Hospitality.” In additional to the definition listed there you will find blank spaces to journal your thoughts after each quote and a place to write down more meanings to this word. You can get this free by clicking on the button below.
Click Here to Get the Resource on Hospitality
Be sure to sign up to get Healthy Spirituality in your inbox. And invite your friends to this blog and share on social media. I sure do appreciate the support in spreading God’s word.
What is your biggest lesson about cultivating a welcoming spirit?
I agree with Ceil — you show a spirit of hospitality in your writing.
One thing I’ve learned about hospitality is that when I entertain, I don’t have to be Martha Stewart and have everything impressive and perfect. In fact, I’ve found that my guests are more likely to relax and enjoy themselves if they feel right at home. They also are more likely to invite me to their house if they don’t think they’ve got to live up to some fancy evening I provided.
Hospitality is still hard for me but when I reframe it as one on one and serving who is right in front of me, it becomes easier. Glad you are enjoying some of my posts.
Hi Jean! I think it’s wonderful to know that you possessed the gift of hospitality all along. That must have felt pretty good! I knew you had it, because of your welcoming attitude here on your blog. Of course that would be evident in your non-writing life too.
Have a happy weekend!
Ceil
ahh you are sweet. I never saw it though but now have learned we are all gifted we just need to unwrap the gift!
In my opinion, you’ve taken the concept of hospitality to a whole new level, Jean. Thanks so much for this series! Blessings!
ahh thank you Martha. I certainly learned a lot about something I didn’t think I had but we all do. Have a great weekend.