True Hospitality: When is the last time you had someone to your home? Someone who may never be able to invite you anywhere?

I am the first to admit that having people in your home can be stressful.  And, after all, there are so many places to go and see that are fun.  Nevertheless, I feel like Christians (and the rest of the world) just aren't opening their doors to many folks these days.  Hey, maybe they aren't even there in their own house anymore, but that's a topic for another day. I have what I consider to be "good" friends (and not the ones on Facebook), but when I think about it I have  not been in their homes much. (Maybe they don't want to have my entire gang invade their space; I get it.  We are neither small nor quiet.) Still, it is odd to be friends with folks for years and not know much about their home.  I feel like you really get to know and feel connected to people when you are in their space.  My love language is quality time, and I just don't feel that going to the movies, or meeting at a busy restaurant counts.  That's just me !   Every time I am thinking about WHY foster care should be part of every church's culture and a piece of a Christian family's life in some way I come back to this article by Dr. David Anderson.  http://safe-families.org/gods-answer-for-vulnerable-children/.

We have redefined hospitality in our culture. It has absolutely zilcho to do with fancy cooking, flawless landscaping, extravagant place settings, matching decor, ample space, or even cleanliness. Honestly, this is why I love guests under 12 best! They don't even notice that stuff!  If you have a jar of FLARP (look it up), and some frozen pizza served with a smile, then you are an incredible host.





I love to tell my children the story of when Jesus talked about who we are to invite to our table.
John 14: 20-New Living Translation
Then he turned to his host. "When you put on a luncheon or a banquet," he said, "don't invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward.




This is where he gets me every time:








Then, he discusses the history of the child welfare system.  I think this is important to remember.


























Next, Dr. Anderson adds what he believes (and I agree) stops folks from reaching out/taking risks to be hospitable.

I know everyone can't foster, but what about inviting that BIG foster family over for dinner? What about offering to bring them a meal when they suddenly have a new baby that other folks have 9 months to prepare for?  What about offering to take their foster children to your home for a day or a date night for that fostering couple?   I know about 30 something of these families if you are interested in serving up some hospitality :). 


I'd love to close with his question and may it be food for thought for us all!

It takes a village! Bovine Babysitting Services

Even Cattle provide respite care!

 Not much has inspired me to write, or make the time to write rather, since Canada! However, tonight as I took my walk and considered the day's events this view made me laugh at the parallelism!  I spent a bit of time this week figuring out how I would help with respite care this weekend for a foster mama, and figuring out how I could help another foster family find respite care.  All in all, finding respite for 3 sweet babies/boys took a few texts, phone calls, emails, and Facebook messenger messages, and it ended up working out so that 5 families are helping 2 families get a well-deserved break.  God is so good that our foster village in Oconee county has grown so large and is so loving to pull together in TEAMS to meet everyone's needs this weekend.  

1 Mama "babysitting" 6 babies under the shade tree.  

 My odds this weekend will be 2 parents and 5 kiddos, so I have it better than she does...if only mine would all just lie down and enjoy the shade :). 

If you have ever considered foster parenting, please consider convincing your husband ( I know he's the hold out :)) to do it JUST for respite care at first.  During the summer, spring breaks, holidays, or emergency situations we need lots of folks pitching in to make foster care work. 

When the early church was fully alive and significantly impacting the world, the practice of offering care to strangers (hospitality) became a distinguishing characteristic that brought many to saving faith.  Christian writer Tertullian (AD 200) wrote, “It is our care of the helpless, our practice of loving kindness that brands us in the eyes of many of our opponents.”  The Hebrews writer instructs followers of Christ to “not neglect hospitality” (Hebrews 13:2). Peter encourages us to “offer hospitality ungrudgingly” (I Peter 4:9). Hebrews also says it might just have its rewards. “Do not neglect to show hospitality. By doing so, some have entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:2). I truly believe that some 23 possibly angels have found shelter in my home thus far, what a privilege and what a blessing.  Is it easy to rearrange life now and again? NO.  Is it worth it? YES.  I consider it a great joy to share the home and the family that God has blessed me with! 

Great for further reading/study: http://safe-families.org/gods-answer-for-vulnerable-children/.

Foster Care in the pasture while one other mama finds herself a distant tree to rest under. I guess she is the helicopter parent of the herd!