Biblical Hospitality with Guest Ruth Schwenk
Toward the beginning of our book of study A Life That Says Welcome, (on page 35 to be exact) I talk about many biblical examples of hospitality. Today’s guest leads us through unpacking one of the great examples from the pages of scripture, Abraham.
Meet my awesome friend and clever mom, Ruth Schwenk!
Like you, Ruth wears many hats! She is the wife of a pastor, who is her best friend and the love of her life.
She is a blessed homeschooling mother to her four beautiful children, and she eagerly waits meeting her five others in heaven. Ruth is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. She has a passion for following God, leading worship, rescuing orphans, and inspiring others to create a God-honoring family.
On August 1st, 2011, Ruth launched The Better Mom . It is a site dedicated to moms who want to be better moms by sharing life and learning together, to the glory of God.
Most days, the thought of opening our house to people takes a back seat to the task of keeping our house in one piece. Hospitality? Like most moms, the thought is almost humorous!
I have always been a “people person”. Then I had 4 children and I had a house full of people all the time! I was constantly entertaining. ;) My zeal for hospitality was lost to survival.
Whether you are a mom or not, we all have so much stuff that is filling our lives that finding room for hospitality is nearly impossible.
One of the first acts of hospitality in the Bible is described in the Old Testament book of Genesis. We often think of Abraham as the father of faith, but he should also be highly regarded as the father of hospitality. Both he and his wife Sarah demonstrate for us a great picture of the hospitable family. Genesis 18:1-5 says,
“The LORD appeared to Abraham near the
great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent
in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing
nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to
meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favor
in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.
Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and
rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be
refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your
servant.”
Hospitality is not only important for me personally, but it is also important for our family. As a mom, I want my children to understand the need to sacrificially give our lives to encourage and inspire others. Like anything, this must be intentionally taught and demonstrated to have lasting impact.
Following are three things we learn from the story of Abraham’s example of hospitality. They are also great reminders of how to teach hospitality to our children.
1. Abraham WELCOMED his guests – He had eyes for those who were in need. Abraham did not wait for a need to be known. He initiated an invitation. Helping our children learn hospitality means helping them see the needs of others.
2. Abraham SERVED his guests – True hospitality always has our guests on display, not our home. We are not the center, but our guests are. Helping our children learn hospitality means teaching them that our guests are the center of our attention when we invite them in.
3. Abraham REFRESHED his guests – He was focused on refreshing, not impressing. Helping our children learn hospitality means teaching them to see that we desire to see people leave more encouraged, strengthened, and refreshed then when they came.
I encourage you today, no matter how busy you are, to sit down with your family and take a look at your calendar. Make a list of friends and families that you are going to invite in to your home, and put it on the schedule! And don’t forget…get your children involved in helping plan, prepare, and welcoming your guests in.
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To enter the giveaway leave a comment below and tell me one thing you do to make your guests feel especially welcome.
Thank you so much for letting me share in this hospitality series with you all!
I would love for you to join me over at The Better Mom, where thousands of mom gather to learn and grow every day!
I walk them out to say goodbye. I might not have had the time to talk to each of my guests like I wanted to so I make sure I ask them one or two questions about themselves as we walk out.
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I want my guests to feel at home. If I know their tastes, I try to have the kind of cereal or snacks that they like even if it is not something that I would normally have on hand.
I usually give our guests a small gift to take home with them. For example, I bought a small plam plant and put it in an Easter back and give it to them as they left. If we have guests with kids (since mine are grown), I go by the dollar store and get them a goodie bag which contains crayons, small puzzle books, maybe bubbles, etc. I give this to them when they arrive.
By the way, tonight my husband and I practiced the ‘Five Senses” of hospitality learned earlier. What a difference in the mood of the evening. Much more relaxed!!!
I am not sure what I do but I do try to have enough things on hand that if I need a quick lunch it is wonderful or if I need a baked item I have it. I also keep candles and note cards for that unexpected guest that might need a pick me up. The best compliment I ever received was from a person who said when she comes to my home she can breath. I found that refreshing and wonderful. I want people to relax and feel loved in my home.
I always keep homemade treats in the freezer so that the unexpected guest will have a nice treat and with not much bother we can visit.
These are things we’ve always done, but I never thought about it having any special meaning–(as others have already said) we have the front door open, awaiting their arrival. When they leave, we don’t usually walk them to their car, but we do stand at the door (or on the front step) and watch until they’re gone. If it’s family (including ones who live here), we usually wave good-bye as well. It has always just felt wrong somehow to shut the door when they’re still out there!
I make it a point to greet everyone who enters my home with a hug because I want them to feel loved and to know they are welcome. I also want them to feel at home in our house.
Also, inquiring of any food restrictions or preferences before planning a meal is important for me to show my consideration to others.
Hi Ruth and ladies, Thanks Ruth for sharing from Biblical hospitality. This Bible account is one of my very favorites. If my older kids are having friends, I come out to greet them with a hi and a little conversation. If it family, friends or others, I always greet them with a hug and then settle them down in a comfy chairs and the sofa. We have a bit of warm up conversation before moving on to coffee, tea or other goodies.
I ask how they are doing and really listen to their answer. I want to make sure that they have my attention and heart.
Having a nice cup of tea with friends is one of my favorite things to do. I even have a tea pot collection so I have different ones for different occasions! I love this series, it has been quite an inspiration to me!
Asking my guests if there is anything I can pray for specifically for them.
I try to be diligent about observing what people like and remembering if for the next time they visit. I know my sister-in-law prefers Pepsi over Coke, so I make sure to have it when they come over, for example. Just little things that make people feel like you thought of them.
I always serve the guests in my living room where the seating is more comfortable.
I sit with them. Have snacks readily available. But mostly just talk and laugh and enjoy having friends in my home.
When we have friends or family with small kids visiting, we always have toys and kid friendly foods/snacks on hand to keep little guys occupied and happy.
I use my mother’s china. I promised her it would go to good use before she passed away and she was emptying her house for a day she knew was drawing near. (sigh) I have kept that promise and often get that china out even for a lady’s day of sandwiches and salad. What are we all saving it for? China is easy to rinse off and feels special our hands and makes anybody feel special too:) Jeannine
I try to remember to do a last minute bathroom check – new hand towel and toilet paper roll.
In more recent years, I try to prepare enough in advance that I can give my guests as much of my attention as possible. This means the table is set with dishes, flowers, and candles. And the food is well on its way to being done. I used to be a bit of a harried mess, flitting around with last minute details that should’ve been taken care of. Much better now and this means I give them a more relaxed me, which makes them relax too!
I actually have “tea parties” for small groups from my church. My mother collected tea cups and I collect teapots. I fill each teapot with a different tea and each person selects her own cup and tea. I then have small “tea sandwiches” and “tea cookies” to accompany their tea.
We love to sit around the table & drink coffee & talk!
I say, “Here, let me get this out of your way.” One day I hope to say, “Sit anywhere you like.”
To make a guest feel welcome and comfortable I usually tell them right off that if there`s something they need or want to just go ahead and help themselves if it`s something that they know they can find. That way I know they are comfortable when I see them going to the refridgerator ect. on their own. Not that I wouldn`t get it for them if they asked, but I want them to feel like they are in their own home.
I like to have everything prepared so that I can devote most of my time to my guests and make them feel welcomed and loved.
One thing that always makes me feel special is the thing I try to do for my guests. Be PRESENT. I make sure to eliminate distractions and focus on the fact that our guests are the most important thing I could be paying attention to for the time being. And smile!
I try to make them feel that they are at a Bed & Breakfast.
I will have their favorite teas, coffee, and food and a pair of comfy houseshoes.