By modern standards, their house was so small – tucked away in a cozy suburb, just off a very busy city street. Their backyard was also very tiny, compared to a country lot, and their driveway barely fit their own large family vehicle, much less our big white van. Yet still, the invitation had been extended.
“Would your family like to come over for dinner?”
And we’re not just any family – we’re a large family.
So many times, I have realized that larger families may seem intimidating to host for dinner – and yet, all the family is looking for is the richness of godly fellowship. I am constantly keeping my eyes open to larger – or any size – families that are probably not invited over for visits very often.
My friend’s dinner invitation was music to my ears. While personally I am completely happy at home and do not need a largely filled social life, my children always love a great family outing or an invitation to someone’s home. And let’s be honest – godly fellowship can be so encouraging and heart warming to anyone!
This particular invitation was so exciting to my family -another large family had invited us over, a family with children all my own children’s ages. After an hour’s drive to their home, my children tumbled out of the van and filed their way put to front door, eager to see their friends. Walking into their absolutely cozy and lovely home, my friend immediately made everyone feel at ease, while still keeping order with the large amount of children. “Here’s a mat for all your shoes,” she advised, knowing that winter time would bring lots of puddles of melting snow into the home, “And here’s a spot for coats and hats in our closet.”
She served a simple meal, buffet style, the children played games in their loft and skated outside on their backyard rink, while the dads talked in the kitchen over coffee and the moms held and cared for the little babies. Piles of shoes were (neatly) at the back door – between their large family and our own bigger than average brood, the house was certainly filled to the brim with our visit.
And yet, this visit taught me so much about hospitality. My friend could have certainly said, “There’s no way to fit so many people in our tiny home”, for indeed, their home was very small. She could have said, “There’s not enough chairs for everyone” and yet, somehow she managed to find seating places for everyone during that visit. She could have said, “I don’t have enough dishes” – I do believe we used paper plates. She could have said, “It’s winter; it will be so much easier in the summer.” but instead, she embraced the season and made it all that more cozy for our visiting family.
This one visit taught me a valuable lesson on hospitality – you can use your home, even if it is not the perfect size, for visiting with families and children. You do not need the modern large kitchen with amazing amounts of seating or a huge mudroom to keep all the snowsuits or winter gear that you may have from children. You do not need the perfect home and backyard size to host a family for a mealtime. You just need an open heart. In today’s society of isolation, it seems hospitality is certainly a gentle and loving way to share Jesus with others.
And let’s be realistic – not all of us are blessed with a table that can fit 16 people – I can barely fit my own family around the table. If you find your space cramped and small, serve your meals buffet style. When there are a lot of people attending, instead of setting individual spots for dinner, pile up the plates and put your utensils in a little container at the end of the line – you do not need to have the dinner table formally set – just open your heart and home! Serve a simple meal that does not overwhelm you. My friend did not prepare a fancy meal all from scratch – she did the best she could with her menu but did not stress about frustrating details – and it was absolutely delicious (we still, to this day, remember her delicious crockpot meal with her family’s favourite recipe inside). Her house was spotless and clean, but it was still comfortable and welcoming to the children. It did not ruffle her feathers to host such a large family at all – she was well adjusted in this area, having a large family herself, but was completely organized and ready for our arrival.
I was personally challenged after that visit to open my home to more families, especially those with children of all ages, to not wait for the perfect home or the perfect weather.
Do not worry about the fussy details – just present a clean and comfortable home, make a simple meal and welcome a family in.
Still to this day, years later, it blessed our family so much to receive a dinner invitation — and now, with hosting, our children just love to have others over, as well. This week (or month), seek out a family that you can invite over for a meal to share together – befriend and be hospitable. Challenge yourself to open hour home to others – it will get easier with every effort. I promise you, you will be blessed by blessing others!
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over,
shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Luke 6:38
P.S. A wonderful tip I received from a friend is to have a guest book – when families come to visit, have them sign your guest book. Over the years, you will see how you have been blessed in return by opening your home when you go back in time and read each little special note.
by Gigi
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