I recently had the joy of hostessing our 2:42 group for an Indian dinner party. We enjoyed spicy dishes from the beautiful land of India and it was an interlude of calm and peaceful fellowship— a cheering time for us all.
I was refreshed from this event. And I also realized that apparently we do not fellowship nearly enough with our brothers and sisters in the faith. Dinner parties are one way to do that since the hurried chatting that occurs before and after church hardly qualifies for in-depth fellowship.

The better I get to know our little group the more blessed I feel to be a part of it. And knowing one another on a deeper level produces a longing to pray specifically and a camaraderie that the world knows nothing about.
Hospitality is the key.
And as my dear husband has often said, “It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, honey!” He says that because he knows that I do not have the gift of hospitality—teaching, administration, yes—hospitality no.

So why do I try so hard at this important duty? Because even in areas we are not gifted we must still practice that discipline. If I do not have the gift of mercy, does that mean I need not exercise mercy? I think not!
Hospitality is essential for the growth of love among the brethren. How can we meet the needs of and pray for our church family if we don’t even know them? And one more thing: loving hospitality doesn’t have a thing to do with your house; not one single thing.
When we were first married we lived in a tiny, 800 sq. ft. parsonage. Despite the size of our home we had some wonderful times of fellowship and though our fare was simple, our love was nurtured in those 800 sq. ft.
Hospitality was the key.
And because of our openness and their openness this group of folks (most have gone on to be with Jesus) remain very dear to us and we think and speak of them often. We were in every home and we were there frequently. And because of the extension of hospitality from and to us, we grew into a deeper love and appreciation for this little church body.
Hospitality was the key. It still is the key to long-lasting relationships.
So . . . come on in. Supper’s almost ready!