The Confession
I wasn’t honest at the beginning of my 31 Days of Outrageous Hospitality series. I was too chicken to tell you the backstory of why I signed up for this thirty-one-day-writing frenzy. 31 Days had absolutely nothing to do with blogging, and everything to do with being obedient to God.
I cheated on my spiritual gifts test.
Years ago, I took a Spiritual Gifts Test at church. I sank low in my chair as I read the results I already knew— I have the gift of hospitality. The news that encouragement trailed just two points behind, leaving all those other possible gifts in the dust, didn’t encourage in the least. I was bummed out and threw a sizable pity party. Which only exacerbated the fact that even when I’m pissed off, I throw a party.
I didn’t want hospitality to be my thing. So, I took matters into my own hands. When it came time to re-take the Spiritual Gifts Test, I cheated. I wanted something bigger, more global. Wisdom. Teaching. Prophecy. The smart gifts. Surely God knew who I was?
I wanted a stage not a table. I’m a Leo! And, my kitchen table? It’s fabulous, but snore me to sleep, what a boring calling. Let’s get real, nobody ever sat in the chair next to Oprah for making granola balls.
As you’ve already surmised, the whole cheating plan didn’t work out so well. Praise God for those with the gift of grace. Otherwise, my manic test results would have landed me on a spiritual gifts counseling couch and a prescription for happy pills. Instead, I surrendered my heart, my identity, my dreams to God. And, I asked him to mold me, teach me, shape me into the Kristin he created me to be. It’s been a long process. Leo’s are stubborn.
Five weeks ago, I made a deal with God. I asked him to forgive me for cheating and for not living into the fullness of who He created me to be. If I wrote on hospitality for thirty-one days, would He show up and seal the deal?
The Result
I performed an act of obedience. God performed a miracle. He refined my heart and gave me freedom in my identity.
Years of studying scripture, decades of creating in the kitchen, visions of hundreds of guests who’ve shared our table and home flooded my mind this month. My passion for family suppers and Sabbath and biblical feasts poured from the sky like manna under a giant umbrella of hospitality. I feel peace. And, joy.
Turns out, hospitality IS my thing. And, apparently I’ve been doing my thing my whole life. Over the past 31 Days God gave me eyes to see this. Not so I could be all hallelujah about having the gift of hospitality, but so I could encourage others. Gifts are best when they are given away.
The Rally Cry
Sharing what we have with those whom God brings into our lives should be a no-brainer. Generally speaking, we get it right. After all we are not evil people. When it comes to hospitality we do what we can, when we can, with what we’ve got. We do our best to treat folks right. We’re actually pretty good at sharing meals, lending a hand, and meeting needs in the lives of those around us.
We know how to do hospitality, but we’ve forgotten why.
Let me be very clear – hospitality is kingdom work. Doing it for any other reason diminishes the act of service to mere entertainment. Hospitality is:
- Scripture mandated
- Spirit inspired
- Christ modeled
Do you remember Jesus’ first miracle? At the wedding in Cana, in an act of hospitality Jesus changed water to wine for the guests. Through this miraculous sign, Jesus revealed his glory as the Son of God. He modeled hospitality over and over again in his ministry here on earth.
You can’t contain true biblical hospitality. There are no dividing lines. No he can, she can’t. No if only this, or when I have that. We are all called to serve and love others through the practice of genuine hospitality. No excuses.
Hospitality is an art. One that takes practice and perseverance. Sometimes it requires a serious reboot of the heart, like it did for me! You may not have the gift of hospitality. But, you’re not off the hook from offering it to friends and strangers alike. Think of what might have happened if Abraham and Sarah had not offered hospitality to the three strangers? What band of angel armies might we miss if our hearts are not open to simply serve a meal?
Let’s be a generation of doers. Eager bodies who work the harvest allowing God to use us for everyday miracles. Let’s take our ordinary tables and meals and turn them into extraordinary love offerings.
Will you join me in a revival of hospitality? Pledge with me now to be Front Yard People. Opening, seeking, loving our families, friends, and strangers by offering the Bread of Life at every meal that graces our table?
The very first day of this series I said, “let’s do our thing.” Friends, our thing is loving others. How we do it is by offering our hearts and homes.
The revival of Outrageous Hospitality has just begun.
Day 31 Table Talk: Will you join me in a revival of hospitality? Shout your YES! in the comments. Then head over to our Facebook page where we’ll get things rolling. . . {an exciting announcement coming soon!}
Susan Greenwood says
You most definitely have the gift of hospitality! I was so blessed by you and your generous spirit! Thank you for not only embracing the gift God gave you but using your Leo to rally others to embrace their gift with joy and godly determination to make a difference for the kingdom.
I hope I get the awesome opportunity to hang with you once again!! Blessings to you on this journey, my friend!
Love in Christ,
Susan
Kristin says
Susan,
I’m grateful you were here! And, saw those funky, raw picnic tables that started the Front Yard People mantra! I also hope our paths cross again, soon. Love, Kristin
Kate Battistelli says
I didn’t know you were a Leo. Just one more thing connecting us! And yes, I’m totally joining you!
I’ve always wanted those ‘cooler’ spiritual gifts too but the older I get the more content I become with what God gave me & who He made me to be. And the thing I love about hospitality is that it’s something you can offer every day. You don’t have to wait for a big church service, you just do it for the ones right in front of you. And simple hospitality can work miracles & bring healing in a million little ways.
I just love your heart Kristin. You. Are. Awesome:)
Kristin says
Kate,
And, I love your heart. We really are kindreds. I about freaked when you said you had the same ginger jars as I do. {I “borrowed” them from my mom}. What’s your birthday? I’m 8/10. 🙂
I’m grateful we were called to make miracles happen, one plate at a time. Love you, K
Jan Skaggs says
I’m definitely IN…just looking for the front yard of my rural home.
Patti says
I’ve always felt that the test for spiritual gifts is good and bad. Some people do need a little encouragement to realize that they are gifted in certain areas and they should be using their gift to further the kingdom. However I’ve spoken to many people about hospitality, mercy or serving and they’ve told me that’s not their gift because they took the test! We all as believer have a responsibility to show mercy, to help people, to be hospitable and open our homes. I think those of us who do have the gift of hospitality have a responsibility to teach others by example and showing practical ways to do it. You’re doing just that and I applaud you. Keep it up and I’m most assuredly will join you. I say YES!
Kristin says
Patti,
I agree about the test. And, for years I didn’t really put too much weight in it. But, when I was led to cheat I had to face my sin. It’s actually a really funny story when I tell it and diffuses the room to know that someone had the audacity to cheat on a spiritual gifts class. Not sure my Leo-esque humor translated this morning as I was confessing, though. 😉
So, so grateful that you are IN! Stay tuned for some fun and practical encouragement coming up…
ox, K
Patti says
Kristin I’m sorry I hope I didn’t cause any offense with my comment. I actually did find you’re story humorous especially since I always try to get the test to say I have the gift of mercy:-) Please forgive me!
Janet says
I do not think hospitality is done just inside our homes, rather, I think it is wherever you encourage others to feel welcome 🙂
Have a beautiful day!!
Kristin says
Janet,
YES!!! I agree. True hospitality is a heart condition that cannot be contained!
Thank you, K
Carolyn Counterman says
Remind me again what I came to say “yes” to? I’m just being a total follower here. Is there an assignment of some sort?
Diana Trautwein says
This has been such a great series, Kristin! And you finished it with a BANG. Lovely writing – and such a good call to all of us to practice this gift more freely and easily. Thank you.
VSK says
I’m in! More adventure!
Erica says
I have no idea how I found your blog but I am so grateful that I did. I’m pret5sure I could have written the first half of this post! Leo, hospitality, God working on me in big ways…. holy smokes. Thank you for sharing all this. I am seriously considering getting my own turquoise table. We live in a corner lot with no fence and on the main street into our neighborhood. I know the names of 3 of my neighbors and we have lived here 3 years. Sad reality. Thanks again for waking me up out of the fog I have been in regarding my gift from God himself.
Erica says
Pretty sure*. Stinking autocorrect!
Tammy says
Yes