Who immediately comes to mind when you hear the words outrageous hospitality?
I don’t know about y’all, but I’m a visual learner. When I watch this story, I see it. A beautiful illustration of what outrageous hospitality looks like. Ludmilla inspires me.
I want to be like Ludmilla. Actually, I want to be a guest at her table! She’s a beautiful role model of hospitality. I want to have a simple table that is spread with abundant love. To offer an atmosphere of joy and peace. I want my home and table to be an extension of the Kingdom of Heaven.
But, I often miss the mark. I get so worried about the details of decorating the table and preparing complex recipes (remember I’m a foodie) that I miss the blessing and the joy of the meal. I have too many stories of Pinterest perfect parties and holidays I’ve planned at the expense of making sure my family and guests felt outrageously loved.
Do I love a good party? You bet. And making fantastic meals served at a table that is decorated with welcome, creativity, and cheer? Yep. Love it. And I believe all those things are fine as long as my heart is in the right place.
Ludimlla has many characteristics that I admire. But, two stand out as true inspiration and even instruction—
prayer and presence
She serves with the ministry of presence. Fully present, often laying everything aside for unexpected guests, Ludmilla serves more than just cookies and tea. She is offering her heart to those who are in trouble or in need. I don’t have enough margin built into my life for the same kind of ministry. We are clearly in different seasons of life but, that doesn’t let me off the hook. How often have I been too busy to take a meal to a friend in need, or stop and have coffee just to listen to a neighbor share her heart?
Ludmilla also prays, not just in advance or after her guests leave, but right there on the spot. Then, she gets out of the way and allows God to do what only God can do—transform lives. All that and a cookie, too!
I wonder, as I prepare my heart and home for a simple coffee date with a friend or an elaborate dinner party,
Could I put a plaque next to my door that says Embassy of the Kingdom of Heaven?
Am I fully present? Are my motives for hosting self-serving or genuinely out of care, concern, and love? Am I more concerned with Kristin or with being an ambassador to the Kingdom?
From a tiny kitchen table in Prague to my heart in Austin, Ludmilla inspires and encourages me. To pray, to be present, and to be open to opportunities given to me to offer outrageous hospitality.
Day #2 Table Talk: Who inspires you to offer outrageous hospitality?
I watched the video. Wow.
My home as the embassy of heaven? Right now, it doesn’t even feel like mine. I am trying to take it back, through cooking, through–like today–buying mums for the front porch. It is centimeter by centimeter.
Mums on the front porch. Tea at the table. It takes so little. The film reminded me of that, as well. It just takes each person listening, responding, making a little space.
Ann,
“Making a little space”…love this. Because if left on my own I make a huge mess of overcomplicating things. This encourages me to let the little things add up to become outrageous! Thank you and I’m so grateful you are at the table. LOVE having you here, Ann. xo, Kristin
Megan, Poco a poco, right? And, mums for the front porch is perfect. xoxo
Honestly, Jesus was my first thought. All his miracles, large and small were filled with love. His love had no boundaries. Jesus opens his heart around and on the water, at the banquet table,in the streets, and at the bedside. Love was His hospitality as he taught and healed.
Mia,
Well, of course Jesus was your first thought! 😉 That’s why you could write the book on Outrageous Hospitality. Thank you for teaching me always the source of every good and perfect gift. Love you much and your crazy, outrageous gift of hospitality. K
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Heaven. Wow, wow, and wow! What a way to view hospitality! You know, I have the gift of hospitality, but I’ve not been practicing it as long as Ludmilla. Her attention to the things that really matter has widened by view a bit today. I wonder if I would have realized these things over the years, and through practice? Thank God for you, Kristin, and for sharing this with us today.
Deidra,
I just know if I were to curl up on your couch, sip some tea, and have a face to face conversation with you I would feel like I was in the Embassy of the Kingdom of Heaven. I think I just invited myself over. Fair warning…I might show up to your Embassy some day! xoox, K
I love this post, the series, and your questions–and especially the video. It’s inspiring and convicting at the same time. I’m going to link to this on The High Calling, Kristin–thanks for reminding me what is true Christian hospitality, and what is just FLUFF. Love you, sweet friend!
Dena, I’m so glad you are here. Thank you, friend. And thanks for sharing with The High Calling. You know, that’s where the idea of Outrageous Hospitality began! xoxo, K
Thanks for sharing the video…for such is the kingdom of heaven…oh may my home be a safe haven for all who enter….feeling love and valued…welcomed…I will be letting this soak for a while …blessings~
Blessing back to you Ro. And, thank you for joining us at the table. Clearly, I’m a slow processor I first saw Ludmilla’s story a year ago and I’m still letting it soak in… xoox, Kristin
You already know who inspires me! I think Mama would be proud of me if I learned to can vegetables or made preserves (disclosure: I’ve never cooked anything other than tuna casserole). She liked to give those away to guests. I do bake batter breads, but I don’t have a lot of freezer space for keeping a stockpile to give to guests. I’ll have to think of something. And by the way, don’t be calling your place an Embassy unless you are prepared for some of us to be seeking asylum there. I could need a place to hide, and I might even need to be granted refugee status. 😉
Carolyn,
Maybe I should get a sign that just says Embassy Suites. 😉 Since I can’t guarantee Ludmilla style hospitality. But you are a welcome part of my life, friend. And, yes your Mama would be very proud of you. xoox, K
This is a beautiful post, and Ludmilla is a beautiful saint. Thank you for sharing this video. I also loved her very specific presence – dropping everything when someone comes. I also love that she is most excited about guests who don’t call ahead because she hasn’t prepared for them, and everything she has to offer is from the Lord.
Ludmilla inspires me, too. Thanks for introducing us.
Charity,
You are welcome. And, I pray we all can be a little more Ludmilla like. Which is, of course to say, more Christ-like. She really represents the Kingdom well.
Thank you for being at the table and sharing. I hope you’ll stay awhile. Love having you here. xo, Kristin
My mother-in-law (along with my father-in-law) is the Ludmilla of her town in Belgium. The two of them create that kind of hospitality, serving and loving and listening and praying with whoever shows up at the door.
Thank you for reminding me to attend to each person with that gentle, open spirit tuned to The Spirit. You have it, too. Thank you for opening the door to readers today and spreading your table with treasures and nourishment.
Ann,
What a gift that you have outrageous hospitality modeled for you and from your in-laws no less. 😉 It really is contagious this outrageous love of Christ. When you see it, feel it, experience it, you just want to pass it on. (Isn’t that a song?) xoxo, K
What a wonderful series this is going to be, Kristin! And thanks so much for that video. Wow. I just like watching that woman do her beautiful thing, through the power of Jesus at work in her. Amazing.
Diana,
Amazing, indeed. Glad you are here. YOU are an inspiration, too, and watching you do your beautiful thing, through the power of Jesus, is a gift to me. xo, K
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Heaven…just letting that soak deep today. Left to my own devices, I’d live alone way out in the middle of no-where and spend my days reading, writing and breathing in the Presence of God, eating Triscuits and cheese and drinking tea. Hospitality is very stretching for me. I am completely content behind-the-scenes, but hosting with a beautiful table? I don’t even think that way. Which is why I find it so amusing that God brought the exact right crowd, teens and early 20s, to my tables, those who will eat whatever I serve with gusto, perfectly happy with an assortment of paper plates and multi-colored Solo cups with their names scrawled wide in black Sharpie. I’m going to write those words: “The Embassy of the Kindgom of Heaven” on my heart today. Thank you for stretching me, encouraging my reluctant heart, inspiring me, Kristin!
Cindee! You do the Solo cups with black Sharpie trick too!?!? Girl, we are kindreds. Don’t you see? That IS hospitality. Your heart may be reluctant, but the way you SERVE is not. Which makes you Outrageous, friend. xoox, K
PS. I try to eat Triscuits because I think they are better for me than Ritz. And, because if I open a box of Ritz? Let’s just say I may have a small problem with eating just one.
Me too. Me, too. Sigh.
I am weeping and smiling at the same time
praying that God would keep my heart that open
here, now and in the days ahead on the mission field
outrageous hospitality flowing from outrageous love
“The Bible says the Kingdom of Heaven is joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. That is the atmosphere I want here at the Embassy.” Me toooo! How inspirational and so doable! Thank you!