Smells of freshly cut grass blew through the window as I glanced around the room making sure everything looked perfect. The doorbell rang as our neighbors arrived for supper. 

We grilled burgers and gathered around the table. One guest bit into her sandwich and politely pushed her plate away. 

"Is something wrong?" I asked as I cut my daughter’s food.

"Ummm," she hesitated, “the meat is a too rare for me." 

My face turned red as I bit into my raw sandwich. Mumbling an apology, my husband and I grabbed the burgers and threw them back on the grill. 

After recooking them, we sat back down to finish our supper and realized our two-year-old daughter was missing! 

We searched everywhere and finally found her hanging like a monkey from the top shelf of the pantry eating candy. 

Our night didn't go as planned, especially since I wanted to impress our guests. But instead, our guests saw our blunders and laughed with us. 

It reminded me that hospitality isn’t about fancy meals or perfectly behaved children, but being willing to open our hearts and love others. Our vulnerability broke down walls and ushered in friendship. 

Jen Wilkin said it best: “Entertaining seeks to IMPRESS. Hospitality seeks to BLESS.”

Hospitality may come easier to some than others, but we are all called to extend hospitality. Opening our homes displays Christ’s love and chooses to invest in others. 

Romans 12 records our Christian ethics and in the middle of the list is…

“Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.” Romans 12:13

When we pursue something, we chase after it like a runner desiring the medal. Only we are pursuing a deeper relationship with Jesus and others by opening our homes.  

We toss our excuses aside and draft a plan. Since we all have different gifts, our hospitality styles may look different, but the focus is the same — loving others like Christ. 

Remember, hospitality isn't about IMPRESSING, only BLESSING others. 

Our guests are now our friends, even though we served them rare hamburgers. Now, whenever we get together, we grill our meat completely and don't lose our kids because they are teenagers.