I don’t consider myself a very hospitable person.

It’s not that I don’t WANT to be.  It’s just not something that come easy for me.

Perhaps in part because I’m not very flexible?  I don’t think well on the spot and don’t cope with things changing unexpectedly.

If I’m having people over, I need to plan well so that most things are done before they arrive.  That way I don’t panic over any disasters.  Okay, I do panic but no-one is there to see me.

So, last night, when we had 5 people land on our doorstep with car trouble, I was surprised with how well I coped.

I do like looking after people in need so I guess you could call that “hospitable”.  As I think more about it, I guess there are different types of gifting when it comes to being hospitable.

What did surprise me was how low their expectations were from strangers.

I can understand that they didn’t want to intrude.  But it was getting late.  It was COLD.  It was even raining some of the time.

They initially turned down my offer to make some pumpkin soup but I went ahead and made it anyway.  I think it went down well. 

Steve lit a fire down near the road so they could keep warm while waiting for the mechanic and while the mechanic was working.  He also jacked the car up while it was still daylight to make it easier when the RAA got there.

To us, just small things that one would do for anyone in need of a hand.

As I went about making the pumpkin soup, I prayed that God would somehow use this situation to show His love.  I don’t know what will come of it if anything but I couldn’t help but be reminded of  “whenever you did it for the least of these, you did it for me”.

At the end of the day, what struck me the most was the way God gave me what I needed to do at the time.  I had the energy and clarity of mind to manage in a host role.  I even had pumpkin in the fridge AND thought of it.  Not something I’d usually come up with on the spot.

I found it to be an absolute privilege to help another in need in this way.  I guess that’s what true hospitality is all about.  The attitude that it’s a privilege to serve another (particularly in a time of need) rather than a chore.

I hope it’s an attitude I can do better with in the future.