“Human withdrawal (for meditation) is a very painful and lonely process, because it forces us to directly face our own condition in all its misery as well as its beauty. But when we are not afraid to enter into our own center and to concentrate on the stirrings of our own souls, we come to know that being alive means being loved. This experience tells us that we can only love because we are born out of love, that we can only give because our life is a gift, and that we can only make others free because we are set free by the One whose heart is greater than ours. And when we have found the anchor places for our lives in our own center, we can be free to let others enter into the space created for them, and allow them to dance their own dance, sing their own song, and speak their own language without fear. Then our presence is no longer threatening and demanding, but inviting and liberating.” - Henri Nouwen 

There is another wave of COVID-19 in my country. This means increased social distancing and my family working from home. Once again, I have to share my days to a greater degree. There is no window of school time to operate on my own schedule. Another difficult pandemic adjustment. We all feel the tension of changing expectations. It’s tempting to prioritize my own needs when I’m so stressed. However, that leaves my family with uncompleted goals. I want to see my family as companions during this time, not obstacles to my schedule. To experience community with them, I need to receive God’s hospitality personally. Then I can truly extend hospitality to others. 

This way of living sounds great, but the daily compromises of it are challenging. There are beautiful moments when we work together well, but also ugly moments of frustration. However, in this messiness, this refinement process, I learn to live more fully in God’s hospitality toward me. This God-given freedom allows me to give my husband and daughter space to be themselves. In this, I glimpse the unique ways my family members interact with God and the world. It is beautiful to behold. Extending hospitality at home means better knowing and valuing the people closest to me.