Creating a Culture of Care
What an exciting last few weeks! I enjoyed the privilege of attending the first BFF Conference designed and organized by my new friend Tabi Upton, host of Moody’s Chattanooga Morning Show, “Mornings with Tom and Tabi.” I rejoiced in sharing worship led by my dear and long-time friend Babbie Mason! Simply hearing Babbie sing enables me to imagine what heaven will really be like!
Then wonderful friend Karen Lewis, our gifted and talented Texas web designer, flew in to stay with us for a weekend to attend an area writers and entrepreneurs conference with me. These weeks remind me of the deep satisfaction of being with friends and the importance of giving and receiving hospitality.
In the South, we love offering hospitality! We imagine it to be shared iced tea on the back porch, Bar-B-Que dinners with coleslaw and cornbread (yum!), and chocolate mints on the guestroom pillow.
I’ve been reading a book lately about hospitality. Do we really understand it? God extends its meaning when we read, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it,” (Hebrews 13:2).
In actuality, hospitality is creating a culture of care.
Apparently, each of us need four things that hospitality can provide. To feel cared for we need:
To feel seen and valued.
To be given a sense of belonging.
To be part of something bigger than ourselves.
To feel welcomed.
As I recently shared with my friends at the Scenic City Women’s Network (SCWN) Luncheon of Chattanooga, God fulfills every one of these needs.
Our Creator God sees and values us:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing love.” ( Jeremiah 31:3)
When we place our faith in Him we immediately belong:
“Now you are the Body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it,” (I Cor. 12:27).
As His followers, we are part of something bigger than ourselves:
“We are therefore Christ’s Ambassadors as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you in Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God,” (2 Cor.5:2).
We are welcomed by Him:
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28).
As Jesus extends His hospitality, His love and care, to each of us, let us extend it to those we meet every day. We live in a world desperately in need of hospitality. Will someone receive it from you today?
Please write and tell us at info@ yourrefreshedlife.com how God used you to share His hospitality with someone you met. We’re interested in new ways to reach out to everyone each and every day!
Blessings,
Linda & Reen
