Hospitality
Posted by tom | Jun 29, 2007I just couldn't refrain from commenting on Hospitality: Now and Then. I confess that the thoughts I share are true blog comments, i.e., basically the typing out of verbal processing. But I'd encourage you to take some time to read through McKnight's post and the other comments. This quote from Peggy led me to prayer and affirmed our family's commitment to walk alongside young families seeking direction/encouragement/support: Hospitality, in the era of the nuclear family, is almost impossible when your children are young and you have no family nearby. All my time is taken up in surviving … there is little left over for ministry at church, much less hospitality. More to share, but it will have to be later as our families are in the midst of hosting.
Almost forgot, I focus on Arlene Miller's Called to Care: A Christian Worldview for Nursing in my first comment and also check out the related post at Women Authors: Christine Pohl.
My own hospitality skills are pretty weak, being a true introvert -- i.e. one who loves the company of other people but usually finds it draining, rather than energizing. However, I can offer a few comments on hospitality and young families based on both experience and observation.
The first thing that strikes me is the idea that this is the "era of the nuclear family." Yes, most of us no longer have extended family close, which is a terrible loss, but families but today "nuclear" when applied to families means less "nucleus" and more "nuclear explosion." A HUGE area of hospitality potential for young families is to their children's friends, who often have little experience with a loving family, mother and father married to each other, children welcomed and respected, all having fun together and supporting one another.
As you well know, the Daleys manage to practice hospitality frequently despite small children, and I doubt that will change as their family grows. They can't do as others we both know, who have large houses and can invite large groups -- but hospitality isn't just a matter of size.
One caveat, a piece of advice from a friend who practiced extreme hospitality and learned the hard way: Some forms of ministry are flat-out not appropriate for families. Any situation that leaves vulnerable children alone in the company of badly wounded people is fraught with danger and has high potential for horrific and lasting damage.
Posted by sursumcorda, Jun 29 2007, 10:12