People tend to think of hospitality as a girl thing, but that’s just not true. There are a lot of guys who enjoy having people over to their home, who love to cook and have people around their table. Hospitality knows no gender; Romans 12:13 is an encouragement for all believers.
Another misconception is that to be good at hospitality, you have to have the nicest home, the best dishes, and the tastiest food. Again, not true. Hospitality is simply loving on and sharing your blessings with others. It’s about welcoming them, making them feel special, serving them.
Having people into your home—whether perfectly decorated or not—is about people, not about the state of your home. If you’re insecure about gathering people in your home—for whatever reason—just remember that your willingness goes a long way.
SingleRoots Writers Say…
For wise counsel, we asked some of our SingleRoots alumni writers to weigh in on the matter. Here’s what they had to say:
“Team up!! We all have that one friend who should really be an event planner. Ask for help and do 2 fun, big events a year, learning as you go from this friend. For casual hang outs, read up on hospitality and hosting. Really, it just comes down to making people feel welcome and at home in your home. Evaluate what you can do to make that happen (food, drink and adequate seating are good bets) and go for it!”
:: Brooke Corcoran, author of What a Difference a Decade Makes: Thoughts on Waiting for Your Spouse
“Tell them you’re not gifted at hospitality. Ask for help. Ask people to bring food, games, plasticware, etc. People are generally just grateful to get to gather together in your home. Provided you’re not hoarding reptiles or a menagerie of cats, they’re not going to be disappointed if turns out you come up short of Martha Stewart.”
:: W. Brandon Howard, author of Struggling Toward My Calling
“Even if you don’t feel like you’re gifted at hospitality, keep hosting people in your home. Like with any skill, it will continue to develop as you practice. Start with some close friends, some food (it could even be store-bought), and something to do.”
:: Katie Axelson, author of When Singleness Hurts
“I’m not the most gifted when it comes to hospitality. When people come over I offer them two options to drink: water or water. But I don’t let it keep me from hosting people. I offer the place, then invite others who have that gift to lead. I ask them what to bring to the party, they tell me, and everyone lives happily ever after. I used to feel guilty about not being good at that, but I found a way to still be a part of it.”
:: Sundi Jo Graham, author of Giving Myself Some Space
Explore the Topic Further…
For further discussion on hospitality, check out these posts:
Twisting My Spiritual Gift – “I often miss the best part of hosting–the people–because I am running over a to-do list in my head. I think that hospitality is a spiritual gift that God has blessed me with, and I realize that I have twisted this beautiful gift into something very unhealthy with my perfectionistic view. God wants my presence, not my perfection. Hospitality can happen in a messy home!”
How to Throw a Pinterest Party – “When the night was over, each girl went home with several bath bombs but, more importantly, several new friends. The beauty of the party was less in the crafts or the food—although that part was definitely fun—but more about the opportunity to meet new people and get to hear their stories.”
The Intentional Life: 5 Simple Ideas for Making Your Summer Count – “Start a book club, organize a bike ride, have a dinner party, host a Pinterest Party, an movie watching party or a backyard barbecue–whatever your latest interest is. But instead of just inviting all of your close friends, be intentional about the guest list. Are there people you know who need to make more friends? What co-workers do you want to build a deeper relationship with?”
