Most folks I know enjoy
mealtimes. Mealtimes can be special
times. If we aren’t all caught up with
carry-out or delivered food, or eating on the run, most of us find mealtimes to
be relaxing friendly times. They seem to
have the propensity to bring out good conversation, a relaxed atmosphere, and
cordiality. Mealtimes allow a family to
gather themselves together where eating can be mixed with catching up, enjoying
each other, and sharing with each other.
We will often go out to eat with
other couples. Never once have there
been arguments, disagreements, harsh words, tempers displayed or anything of
the sort. Rather, those mealtimes
actually seem to embolden realness about people. Pretenses seem to drop a bit, and
conversation becomes more personal in nature, healthily so. The same happens when we invite folks to the
home for a dinner get-together.
Thanksgiving at most homes is the
same way. The family, sometimes the
extended family, and perhaps even a few “strays” all sit together to eat. The scene is warm, kind, relaxed,
conversational (indeed, maybe 6 different ones going at the same time), and friendly.
Realizing and knowing the normal dynamics
of meals and mealtimes, how often do we seize the opportunity to be
spontaneously hospitable? How often do
we just stop and take someone out for a donut and coffee, or a lunch, or invite
them into our homes for a meal—for no particular reason other than to be with
them. By neglecting to do so, by not
being hospitable, could we not be missing out on an opportunity to perhaps
learn something from that other person(s), or perhaps miss a chance to be a
witness to those others? It seems to me
that Christ never missed out on an opportunity to mingle with others, ever over
food, and look at what He accomplished.
It’s all in the table!
Bottom Line Thought: How intentionally and spontaneously hospitable
are you? Have you considered that by
being more hospitable (open) than you might be now could open doors that have
been closed for others?
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