Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Hospitality


hos·pi·tal·i·ty
ˌhäspiˈtalitē/
noun
  1. 1.
    the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.
    synonyms:friendliness, hospitableness, warm reception, welcome
    helpfulness,neighborliness, warmthkindness, congeniality,
    geniality, cordiality,courtesy, amenability, generosity
    entertainment, catering, food 

This morning, I was listening to a sermon on hospitality on my run.  Our pastor pointed out an obvious observation which can be easily missed that the word "hospital" is in the world "hospitality."  It seemed like an obvious invitation to pray for you all as you all head to the hospital in Pittsburg that you would experience hospitality in the best sense of the word.  


As you make this move to a new city, I am asking God to open doors for you all in places you would not expect, that you would experience grace and generosity of spirit, warmth. and a sense of home together. 

It also reminded me of this poem by Jan Richardson that my sister-in-law shared with me in January right at the time that Jason got word that he was not going to be working for New Leaders anymore.  It offered amazing perspective for us in the new year no matter what may come.  I am copying it below for you two as well as an offering in this new season to Pittsburg and as you can imagine this coming season as a house- a space in time that opening to you. 

Jan Richardson writes, "How will we inhabit the coming year? How will we enter it with mindfulness and with intention? How will we move through the rooms of the coming months in a way that brings blessing to this world?
With these questions in mind, I offer this blessing for you.

The Year as a House: A Blessing
Think of the year
as a house:
door flung wide
in welcome,
threshold swept
and waiting,
a graced spaciousness
opening and offering itself
to you.
Let it be blessed
in every room.
Let it be hallowed
in every corner.
Let every nook
be a refuge
and every object
set to holy use.
Let it be here
that safety will rest.
Let it be here
that health will make its home.
Let it be here
that peace will show its face.
Let it be here
that love will find its way.
Here
let the weary come
let the aching come
let the lost come
let the sorrowing come.
Here
let them find their rest
and let them find their soothing
and let them find their place
and let them find their delight.
And may it be
in this house of a year
that the seasons will spin in beauty,
and may it be
in these turning days
that time will spiral with joy.
And may it be
that its rooms will fill
with ordinary grace
and light spill from every window
to welcome the stranger home.

Wherever you make your home, may it be blessed, and may you enter this new season in peace."   http://paintedprayerbook.com/2009/12/31/epiphany-blessing-the-house

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