At the Table (Hospitality & Hope)

My more temporary role or purpose has been on my mind lately (I know my eternal purpose, to spread the good news of Jesus, but the Bible doesn't say how MacKenzie should do that today / tomorrow / 5 / 20 years from now). Since I have more time now, I wish to use it wisely and beautifully, so I have been praying that God would guide me to what I am supposed to be doing.

First off, I would not be where I am right now without my community, without the love of these beautiful Jesus-loving men and women in my life that has been helping to renew and refresh my broken, aching heart. With Jesus, my heart doesn't even feel broken anymore! It feels new, it feels joyful, it feels hopeful. They have been serving me with love and encouragement and just by being my friend, including me and caring about me. That is the only reason I went to church this morning.

I knew I was just where I was supposed to be this morning when I got out of the car outside of the church building. I was nervous (except I knew Kari was going to be there, and I was excited to see her and surprise her), up until a man who just seemed to have a Sunday-every-day peace about him walked besides us.

"Isn't this such beautiful weather? I wish it was like this all the time." He paused. "Well, I guess I wouldn't appreciate its beauty if we didn't also have the cold and the rain, too."

SERIOUSLY. SUCH A SIMPLE BUT DEEP MESSAGE. GOD USING BROKEN PEOPLE TO SHOW HIS LOVE AND TEACH OTHER PEOPLE THINGS IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

They talked at the service today through 1 Peter 4:7-11- about how "simple, ordinary Christian hospitality" is so underrated, and that it has such a great significance. The pastor spoke about in doing that, that there's the possibility we could end up entertaining angels at our dinner table… he joked that in the final hours, we should be "popping enchiladas into the oven and inviting the neighbors over."

Something that I have noticed about myself for a while now is that looking back over the past year, I have gained the most joy and feel as though I have had the greatest eternal impact by engaging in acts of hospitality towards others. This year, I had the opportunity to co-host a Galentine's Day event that I hope fostered "lady"ship and community among the dear, loved women in my life. I also offered up my bed and an air mattress to a group of traveling missionary students who blessed me so, so much more in return.

Something else I realized, in going to this church and dreaming of this community that shows genuine hospitality to one another, is that if I find a community like that, I will never have to fear being or feeling alone. To almost totally vanquish that fear is the biggest relief I could have imagined. As a person who gets stuck on the outside a lot, authentic hospitality is what I have been hoping for, as to change from stranger to friend, but if I were show this hospitality, those other people would go from stranger to friend as well.

He warned that yes, a commitment to hospitality is sometimes hard. Sometimes, you have to set boundaries so you do not get worn down. I have experienced that issue (although I am working on learning about boundaries).

When I think of hospitality, I think of the song I included above. I think of all of the people I have loved, and how I wish I could be there with them now. I mostly think of my Charleston friends. I think of Bettina, my host Mom this summer, and Yvette, the woman who cooked meals for us.

Hospitality, especially in my weeks of loneliness and suffering, has been so impactful and life-changing. I believe, besides praying ceaselessly and evangelizing and discipling students, it the most powerful thing I can help contribute to for next year.

In saying all of this, I am PRAYING I can find job on/near campus this summer (specifically a job that is up in the air). I am praying that I can be a part of the community here that I love and so I can pour back into them. I am praying for "family" meals and frisbee on campus. Staying at home will make it a lonely summer, but it (hopefully) won't lessen my love and desire to grow (it will just change how I have to do that). I am so excited about the summer and the fall. :)

Love always perseveres,
MacKenzie