Today’s Reflection
Sometimes people ask where I learned to welcome guests. In a small church parsonage I watched my mother prepare food and serve her large family and more—the parishioners and potentials my dad invited home. I watched my dad encourage conversations at multifamily picnics. As a young professional I watched my colleague Marilyn orchestrate crowded room buffets.
—Evelyn Bence, Room at My Table: Preparing Heart and Home for Christian Hospitality (Upper Room Books, 2014)
Today’s Question
Who showed you how to make guests feel welcome, and what did they do? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
[Paul wrote about the people of Malta:] The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.
—Acts 28:2 (NIV)
Prayer for the Week
Lord, you serve as a model for any host: you accept us as we are, even as you call us to be our best selves. As we serve others, give us a vision for anticipating the banquet we will someday, in some way, enjoy in your kingdom.
—Evelyn Bence, Room at My Table
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Prepare your heart and your bookshelf for one of the most sacred times of year. Advent favorites are now on sale for just $6.99 each! Browse the titles on sale here.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
3 Comments
My grandmothers and my my mama, even my daddy, who would bring hippies home to dinner, showed me how to treat and welcome people to my home. Now I need to do it, and the small things to make our home hospitable.
Long ago, it was my parents who showed how to make guests welcome. Good meals, the better table setting, guest needs addressed.
New Bible and Advent studies selected. They will take us through almost the end of the year.
Had a frost yesterday, it will warm up quite a bit for a few days, then some mornings in the 20s and 30s.
Steam train simulator arrived yesterday, I get to try my hand at driving a train. Wanted to be an engineer long ago, but steam disappeared before that possibility could happen.
Better late than never also happened with the latest issue of The AMBASSADOR, the journal of the Central Vermont Railway Historical Society. It took a while to get articles, but they are very good. Members should hav it well before Thanksgiving.
A review of recent posts from the regulars and my reply tomorrow morning. Thank You, Lord.
This is a nice question to reflect on and reminisce. Ally, I love your “hippies home to dinner” story – it conjures a beautiful image. And Robert, like you, my parents were the first to teach me how to extend a warm welcome. At gatherings of family and friends, my mom made sure to encourage lively, upbeat dinner table conversation. And adults and children were always included at the same table. Her smile and eye contact conveyed a welcome to each to participate as actively as each felt comfortable, and adults’ and children’s remarks alike were received with kindness and affirmation. My dad made a point to personally engage with each and every individual, before, during or after the meal. I learned from him to be sure to converse one-on-one, even if only for a few minutes, with every person whom K and I welcome into our home.
Add Comment