Extending Hospitality: Everyone has a Story to Share
Everyone has a story to share, though I didn’t always realize it.
There was a time when I hid in my house behind locked doors, blind to the happenings of others.
Why?
Out of shame for my own story.
Shame for certain things in my life that I preferred to keep hidden.
“Yes, remaining hidden would be best,” I thought.
One day something surprising happened that helped me understand the importance of extending hospitality to others.
EXTENDING HOSPITALITY TO THE ONE
On this particular day, a simple but direct thought penetrated my mind with little warning.
I felt that I should invite someone over for dinner.
This thought startled me, as I had never invited anyone into our home to join us for dinner.
Who could I possibly invite?
Who might accept my invitation?
Within seconds, the answer came.
There was a young family at church who had a child the same age as ours.
I would invite them.
I would somehow build up the courage to invite them into our home.
But what would I feed them?
This is always the dreaded question, isn’t it?!
Again, the answer came immediately.
Tacos.
Tacos are simple.
Tacos are well-liked.
I would make tacos for dinner.
And that’s exactly what happened.
One day after church I nervously approached the family and asked if they would like to join us for dinner.
They said yes, with a smile, and with excitement in their eyes.
I couldn’t have been more thrilled.
And nervous.
Later that week, after cleaning, and plotting, and preparing, we welcomed our neighbors into our home.
We sat around our small, bachelor-style kitchen table, ate tacos, and visited for several hours.
Turns out, our families were a match made in heaven.
I never in a million years would have guessed that that would have happened!
And our story didn’t end there.
Twelve years, a move, and four children later, we’re still friends, and we still get together for dinner on occasion.
Prepare simple, guest-worthy Mexican recipes in your Instapot.
EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO SHARE
Unbeknownst to me, that one dinner invitation twelve years ago would spark a fire in me––a fire to hear people’s stories over the dinner table.
Today, our home is often filled with guests––friends, family, neighbors, strangers––who join us around the table to eat and share stories.
Truth is—I’m still terrified to invite others into our home.
And I still feel anxiety over what we’ll eat for dinner.
However, I thrive on the connection that takes place between other people––friends, family, neighbors, strangers––so I invite and invite and invite some more.
I invite people to come out of hiding; to show up where they can be seen;
and to tell their story–the story of their past, their present, their dreams for the future–whatever it is they feel like sharing.
I invite until I’m too tired to invite any longer, and then I rest.
Sometimes for weeks, sometimes for months.
I rest my weary, introverted self until suddenly, often with little notice, I’m back in the saddle.
Ready to extend invitations.
Ready to feed a crowd.
Ready to hear one story after another.
Ready to offer true connection over a table of simply-prepared food.
I can’t wait to see where this hospitality adventure leads our family––one person, one meal, one story at a time.
Everyone has a story to share. What’s yours?
How has hospitality blessed your life?
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14 Comments
Jessica @ Overwhelmed to Fulfilled
Thank you so much for sharing this story! God has been walking me through becoming more social and building relationships in the last 6-8 months. I’m very introverted and for years just accepted that I’m not good with new people. I rarely stepped outside of my comfort zone to connect with anyone. I wasn’t sad and in the corner, I was completely ok with not talking to anyone. Then God put His finger on it and well lots of uncomfortable change since. Lol!
Thanks for sharing this with us at #LiveLifeWell. I featured your post. 🙂 Your blog is beautiful!
Down Aspen Lane
Thank you, Jessica! I can certainly relate to the discomfort of stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. Good luck with your endeavors to connect with others!
Down Aspen Lane recently posted https://downaspenlane.com/2018/04/05/making-memories-with-project-life/
Sarah Geringer
What a great story! I just ordered the book “Just Open the Door,” and I’m looking forward to reading more about hospitality. Blessings to you!
Down Aspen Lane
I’ll have to check that book out! Sounds like a great one. Thanks for stopping by!
Down Aspen Lane recently posted https://downaspenlane.com/2018/04/02/making-a-difference-one-person-one-dog-at-a-time/
Sherry
Great story of how you reach out to others. Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Down Aspen Lane
Thank you, Sherry!
https://downaspenlane.com/2018/03/30/friday-favorites-color-crochet-and-kindness/
Patti Gardner
This is my first visit to your blog. I found you through a link-up I was visiting. Your passion for hospitality is also my passion, a passion which was born through loneliness. After a cross-country move took us away from family, we had a choice of lamenting our loneliness every holiday, or reaching out to others. We ultimately chose to reach out, first at the holidays, now on a regular basis.
I will definitely be subscribing to your blog. It’s a real joy to connect with other who share my heart for hospitality and fellowship around the table.
Blessings,
Patti
Down Aspen Lane
Thank you for sharing a piece of your story, Patti! Hospitality is such a gift if we have the courage to make it a part of our lives. It’s always fun to connect with others who are passionate about hospitality. So glad you came across my blog. I’d love to hear more of your journey towards hospitality if you’d ever like to share it!
Down Aspen Lane recently posted https://downaspenlane.com/2018/03/30/friday-favorites-color-crochet-and-kindness/
Sarah Cole
I love this! Knowing that I am not the only one who is scared to do this, but still feels the call to do so. We’ve had a few friends over for dinner over the past few months, but my husband and I have been a bit too reclusive in this area. I’m not a great cook, so I think I often let that fear stop me from inviting people. So far I’ve often resorted to basics like lasagna or spaghetti when having people over haha. I think I’m gonna take your taco idea! But something about food, no matter what it is, just brings people together. Thanks for sharing this!
Down Aspen Lane
Tacos all the way! haha
Down Aspen Lane recently posted https://downaspenlane.com/2018/03/23/friday-favorites/
Amy @ The Quiet Homemaker
It is so very brave of you to open up your heart and your home in this way! It gives me anxiety to even think about it! LOL. But the true connection with others is so important! And this is a beautiful way to achieve that!
Thanks for sharing! And thanks for linking up at #LiveLifeWell, we are so happy to have you!
Blessings,
Amy
Down Aspen Lane
Thanks so much, Amy!
Down Aspen Lane recently posted https://downaspenlane.com/2018/03/09/angels-among-us/
Jennifer
Thank you for sharing your story. I am so glad that you stepped out of your comfort zone. Sometimes that is just so hard to do! Glad a beautiful friendship was created, and that many more have followed. And who doesn’t love tacos, right?
Down Aspen Lane
Yes! It was absolutely a beautiful AND delicious experience all the way around. Thanks, Jennifer!
Down Aspen Lane recently posted https://downaspenlane.com/2018/03/30/friday-favorites-color-crochet-and-kindness/