As part of my commitments to the Lord for the year start to unfold,  I am amazed at how my obedience = action by the Lord.  How my willingness to be available to be used by God humbles me as I feel so inadequate so many times.  I don’t really make New Years resolutions but I do try to re evaluate my life goals and bring whatever is out of balance into the light,  before the Lord and allow Him to re prioritize these areas. 

One of the areas He so graciously pointed out to me was the area of hospitality toward others.  Oh we have people stop by all the time.  My house is always full of kids…young and old.  I am usually happy to see anyone anytime at my door.  But the Lord was speaking about something deeper to me!

Sometimes I can get so busy with my life that I totally forget to intentionally pencil in my Peeps!  Or I convince myself that I am just too busy taking care of my family that I don’t take time for real meaningful time with others.  As Moms it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of our own home and to forget that there is a whole world of hurting people out there.  Part of this is a good thing because our family should always come first! 

Romans 12:13 says  “Share with God’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.”

So what is the definition of hospitality?  “The friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers.”

God has been stirring in me to be more diligent and responsible about spending more time with Women in His word,  but as you know this takes time and commitment.   As busy as my life is..I have learned that if God is speaking to my heart..I better listen.  I really felt that He was putting on my heart to do more at home in the way of hospitality.

I have struggled in the past with a total lack of self confidence in the area of hospitality.  Although I have shown hospitality out of obedience it was such a burden to make sure everything was perfect before I would feel comfortable about someone coming to my home.   My idea of hospitality used to be so extravagant.  Perfect home,  perfect food,  perfect kids and of course a perfect me..

but the truth is..IT’S NOT ABOUT ME. Took me a while to figure that one out.

I submitted to God and told Him that I would be available to whatever He wanted this year. 

The first thing that God did was to have  a very good friend,  that I haven’t really seen over the past year,  call me and ask what I was doing for Bible Study and would I be willing to meet with her one on one.  She was not feeling comfortable with a crowd at a traditional Bible Study right now because she is working through some things that just need one on one time.  I said sure!  We are meeting once a week and it has been such a blessing!

Then my husband and I were contacted by one of our Pastors regarding having a leadership Bible Study in our home.  Oh boy..at first that perfectionism started to rear it’s ugly head..but then I realized that my home and I would never be used if I waited for that miracle of the perfect house to happen!  Especially around here!  LOL!

It’s not our abilities that God is interested in,  it’s our availableness to be used.. take a minute to think about that.  Are you making yourself available to be used by God?  Even if you feel inadequate?  God is certainly in the equipping business and it’s best we feel somewhat inadequate anyway so that God gets all the glory:)

I did not have to seek opportunities to serve God in this area of hospitality..He already had a plan and was just waiting for my willingness.  My job = be available.  If you want to experience God’s power and works in your life..be available.

Over the years I have come to some simple ways that make me feel more comfortable and equipped about offering hospitality to others.  Tomorrow I will share some of these simple ideas..so that if God has been calling you to open your home to others..you too can find some simple ideas and ways to do this.