“Practice hospitality,” (Romans 12:13) is a Scriptural exhortation I enjoy fulfilling. And though I like decorating the table, using my best china, cooking something special and serving it artistically, I’ve learned that hospitality is as simple as sharing what I have on hand. It is a lesson I learned during my missionary training days.
My husband and I had invited guests to share a meal with us on two different days. We asked a young couple we met at our church to join us for dinner on Saturday. For lunch on Wednesday, we would be hosting a missionary to Bolivia who had not been back in the United States for twenty years.
On Wednesday morning I took a roast out of the refrigerator to put in the crockpot for our special lunch. Before I had it unwrapped, a staff member came to tell me the office had received a call saying that our guest would be unable to come. Since it was a cold, rainy day and I was no longer expecting my guest, I decided I would fix some canned soup for lunch and save the roast for our Saturday guests.
When lunchtime came, I placed some artificial tulips on the table to brighten the dreary day. I opened a couple of cans of chicken noodle soup and put the soup on the stove to warm. I unsealed a new box of soda crackers and arranged the salty squares in a breadbasket. As I started ladling the soup into bowls for my husband and me, there was a knock on our door. I opened the door and was greeted by a lady who said, “Hello, I’m Alice Mickelson, I was told that I’m to be your guest for lunch.”
I don’t know if she noticed my look of confusion as I mentally reviewed the message the staff member brought that morning. As I did so, I realized the call had been from my Saturday guests, but because the message had been delivered Wednesday morning I had assumed it was from Alice.
I invited Alice in to sit at our table. I ladled up the soup, feeling all the while it was a meager offering for someone I wanted to honor for serving the Lord so long in a remote area.
After grace was said, Alice reached over and placed several soda crackers on the plate that was under her soup bowl. Then she picked up a cracker, broke it in half with a snap and smiled. Alice continued to smile as she munched on the cracker. She picked up another saltine, repeated the snap, smiled and munched. As she reached for a third, white wafer, she said, “Thank you. These are a special treat. In Bolivia, we could occasionally get soda crackers, but they were never crisp. The humidity makes them so soft that they bend like cardboard.”
I smiled and passed the basket of crackers to Alice. As she placed more crisp squares on her plate, I realized that when we share what we have–even if it is only ordinary soda crackers – our guests are blessed by our hospitality.
What about you? What have you shared at your table lately?
Jul 04, 2018 @ 11:11:15
Wow. You have put into perspective that even surprize guests can feel special and very welcome by simple things. The only requirement is the right attitude.
Jul 04, 2018 @ 11:29:19
Some of our best times of fellowship have been with surprise guests.
Jul 04, 2018 @ 11:34:23
This happens occasionally but have never had any of them refuse what I had at the time or made me feel really uncomfortable, Always welcome if you can handle whatever I may have at the time! Even chicken noodle soup and crackers! One of my favorites!!!!😃😃😃❤️🙏🏻
Jul 04, 2018 @ 12:30:11
And just think, our Lord counts these offerings as if we had served Him at our table – Matthew 25:40
Jul 05, 2018 @ 11:37:51
Loved this story the first time I heard it, and love it now a second time! What it says to me is that as you ministered to your guest (unexpectedly), God ministered back to you in return. Hospitality is a two-way street it seems!
Jul 05, 2018 @ 14:17:13
Yes, Kenda, I agree that hospitality is a two way street. I think Proverbs 11:25 sums it up well, “…whoever refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
Jul 07, 2018 @ 15:02:10
Reminds me of my mother. Everyone was welcome even if she had only toast and coffee to offer which was very often the case. Love this story.
Jul 07, 2018 @ 15:06:45
Toast and coffee = comfort food.