From Pinterest-Perfection to Down and Dirty

I can remember all throughout my years at home that our house was always open to people. Mom's rule was "if you don't feel at home it's because you didn't make yourself at home." She wasn't the perfect Martha Stewart. She didn't always have the biggest meal made or the freshest cookies cooling on the rack, but she did always have a welcoming attitude. Rarely did I get to go to a friend's house because they preferred to come to mine. Our home was inviting. I think my mom truly embraced biblical hospitality.

I have been doing a study on Biblical Hospitality through She Reads Truth (here), and I have been convicted since day one. It's not that I feel like I have to have everything perfect, but I do feel the pressure to have things somewhat presentable before people come over. My husband and I moved into our house back in the spring. Being that we are still considered newly weds and now have a new house, our cash flow isn't exactly over the top, so decorating and settling hasn't moved as quickly as I would like. I am not the most crafty person and my vision for things is non existent so it takes me a while to really decide if something will work or not on the walls (add OCD to the mix and you can see the recipe for disaster when it comes to hanging things). 

I have learned so far in this study that hospitality begins in the heart. 

Romans 12:16 says "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." How often are we willing to open our home up to people we don't know? And not just our homes but our hearts? We see others who have a different living standard than we do and turn the other way. I am guilty of using the excuse that I am "more reserved" when it comes to people, but through this study I've realized this is just a cop out answer. God didn't see people of different standards as ones to turn away from. He invited them in with welcome arms. He met with the woman at the well when it was socially unacceptable to even acknowledge her existence. In Matthew 22:39 Jesus states that the second greatest commandment (first being love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind) is to love your neighbor as yourself. So often we choose to know then love rather than love then know. 

We aren't called to put up a front and appear to have it all together. I am in a bible study with some other woman, and one Sunday we met without the expectation of us all bawling our eyes out, but that's exactly what happened. When did it become socially acceptable- actually expected- to be put together? We are not called to be perfect and live life above others. We are called to be open and honest. Our prayer request time in that group went from each person saying one superficial concern to opening up and being vulnerable, and all it took was one person being honest and open about what was going on in her life. This may sound strange, but we have two shoulders on our body, but those two shoulders cannot comfortably soothe our own weary head. So, why do we feel as though we have to cope alone?  

Why is it so difficult to love others right where they are? We all set standards for different things, and unfortunately who we associate with is included in that list which is so sad. Most of us are probably guilty of impure intentions when it came to a friend. Think back to high school for a minute. I know I was willing to do what I could to be accepted by all people because I craved the approval of others. I didn't want to be friends with each person because I genuinely was interested in knowing them. I just wanted to be known by all as being friendly and approachable. Now there's nothing wrong with being friendly or approachable, but what are our intentions?

I know for a fact that many women struggle with opening up their home while there are piles of laundry on the couch, dirty dishes in the sink, and clutter on the table. I struggle with it. But, I also work a full time job taking care of two kids and cleaning their house. Right now I know there is laundry hanging in the bathroom to dry (gotta love dryers that shrink EVERYTHING!), Christmas gifts sitting on the table, craft supplies strung throughout the house (I'm attempting to make ornaments), and dog toys all over the living room floor. If someone said they were coming over after work I would be in instant freak out mode. But why? What's more important- being all put together and stressed or being real and honest resulting in being relaxed and open? Do I think that we should let our house go awry? No, but I think that people need to come before things. Being honest and real and open will invite more people in than having everything perfect and neat and orderly.

Jesus showed up at so many different people's homes without prior notice, and they were fine with it because they were able to fellowship with their Savior. He met people where they were in the day to day and was ready to get down and dirty while fellowshipping. He went to sea and helped men catch fish, he walked on dusty roads, he climbed hilltops to preach, he went to homes to heal, he went to wells to rest.

We have an opportunity to invite the weary, the brokenhearted, the confused, the lonely, the desperate, the needy, and the lost into our homes. So, what's more important- the cleanliness and perfection of our home or the honest and open welcome of our hearts?