Unsung Heroes: Hospitality of Lydia — Tuesday
Acts 16:15b
“If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed. (NLT)
There was a time in my life when I thought that the “holy” thing to do was never accept help. If someone offered to let me stay with them when traveling, I would decline so as not to impose. If someone offered to make a meal for me when I was sick, or drive me to the airport, or pay for my coffee, I’d turn them down so that I wasn’t being an inconvenience.
It was silly, really, but I thought the right thing for me to do was to never need anyone else. As it happens, that is totally opposite to what the gospel (and hospitality) is all about.
I love the verse above. After hearing the gospel from Paul and believing and being baptized, Lydia invites Paul and his companions to be guests in her home. That last little bit says, “She urged us until we agreed.” Another translation says, “She prevailed upon us.” You know what that sounds like to me? It sounds like Paul may have been a bit hesitant to accept her hospitality, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I like her gumption. She wasn’t going to let them go without taking the chance to serve them in a loving and practical way. And they were better off for it!
It’s a good reminder that we are all called to learn how to be both host and guest. It is NOT, in fact, holier to refuse the hospitality of kind people. Nor is it right for us to always be the recipient and never give back the kindness we’re shown—first by God, and also by others.
I’m learning this in a visceral way right now. I’m pregnant with my first baby, so I am quite literally someone’s home. My body is hosting my growing baby for the next few months until he decides to make his arrival later this winter. It is both miraculous and exhausting, and I am learning hospitality in a whole new way as I learn to serve and care for my child before he’s even born. At the same time, I am acutely aware of all the ways I need help. When others have offered me baby items (who knew little people were so expensive??), or home-cooked meals, or the chance to laugh and cry through my crazy hormones in the comfort of someone’s living room—I no longer refuse. I gratefully accept.
Learning hospitality means learning to be both host and guest. To give and to receive. To serve and to accept.
Tuesday’s Reflection
When have you been shown hospitality? Do you need to learn how to say “thank you” and accept it gratefully?
