The Purple Foyer Welcome

Over the Christmas holidays, an experience brought to mind the Biblical principle of hospitality.  Possible blog post topics pop into my head, and I often let them formulate for days, or weeks, before I finally put my thoughts into writing.  As I ruminated on the topic of hospitality, the word surfaced in my Bible study as a desired quality in leadership (Titus 1 v 8).  Days later, hospitality was the theme in a devotional I’m currently reading.  For me, that was enough confirmation to pen the blog!

As I mentioned, after Christmas we experienced overnight hospitality with close friends from our DC days.  Halfway through our two-day drive home, we arrived at their house depleted of emotional and physical energy.  Approaching the front stoop and entering their purple foyer, I felt relief at being “home,” as I later shared in a thank you note. The familiar surroundings, the memories, the dear friendship and warm welcome ministered deeply.  There we’ve sat by fires in the fireplace and cookouts on the porch.  We landed there the night we left our family home for the last time and munched leftover Halloween candy in our exhaustion.  The guest room often welcomes me with a special treat from the hostess, and the host makes sure we help ourselves to the tea drawer.  Being able to spend the night in their home and catch breakfast together before hitting the road again is the spiritual gift of hospitality: sharing out of God’s provision to others in the family of Christ.

While specific spiritual gifts are given especially to some, the New Testament calls all Christians to be hospitable.  Romans 12 v 13 says, “Practice hospitality.”  I do not think that means doing routines like piano or soccer practice, rather the instruction suggests making hospitality part of your way of life. Unfortunately, hospitality seems threatening to many due to the likes of Martha Stewart in my day and Joanna Gaines these days.  We get the idea that everything must be perfect: the food, the décor, and the beautiful hostess.  But this is not God’s hospitality plan.  Biblical hospitality is genuine and unassuming, from a humble heart and even a humble abode. I encourage you to practice it:  have a friend in for coffee, a family over for supper or host a mid-winter party.  Scripture says you might even entertain angels unaware (Hebrews 13 v 2)!

Author: Brenda Proulx

Wife, mother and grandmother, educator and someone who thinks about the things I observe. I am the daughter of a writer; my dad's career was in the field of journalism. More significantly, I am God's child, a person believing in Jesus Christ and in His timeless Word. Blogging is new to me but I feel like I've always had a pen in my hand. I jot notes in my planner, mark papers, underline verses, write many letters, and occasionally draft articles for work or church. When I am not holding a pen, I am probably cuddling a mug of coffee. View all posts by Brenda Proulx