Soul Food: “True Hospitality at Christmas” by May Patterson

 

FullSizeRender 2“Do not neglect to show hospitality…”

Hebrews 13:2

My Grandmother Betty certainly took this verse to heart. She put up vegetables all summer for our weekly family dinners (otherwise, we might have to settle for mere store-bought produce). She made homemade mayonnaise, because the kind in the jar just wouldn’t do. Her signature, yet quirky, Southern way to be hospitable was by keeping homemade cheese straws on hand—for emergencies, of course.

Grandmother kept cheese straws on hand for every life event—especially the holidays (like any decent woman should). She pressed them out with a hand press, because she considered using the electric press to be, well…cheating. Even when she got arthritis, the muscles in her hands had such memory that she never slowed down. Pressing the straws was kind of like breathing or eating. She just did it.

She made her cheese straws from extra sharp cheese and real butter (that was before anybody cared). Their velvety texture left orange crumbs on her coffee table and on her linen napkins. She kept bags of frozen straws in her freezers, because you just never knew who would come visit, and a visit without cheese straws, was, well—inappropriate.

She lived this way because of her life experience. My grandmother survived the Great Depression, living through the dilemma of not having enough, and yet still trying to practice hospitality, as she knew it. She even had to move up near the North (to Knoxville), for a few years so my grandfather could get work. After the depression she returned with great relief, southern manners and hospitality well intact.

Grandmother practiced true hospitality—for her it was not a sideline event or a matter of being stylish. Her cheese straws were just a small way that she expressed her love to others. She invited people from all walks of life and made sure everyone was well fed. She had more friends than anyone I’ve ever known. Although her ways seem funny so many years later, I smile when I think of all she did and all she meant to people. Her abundant love inspired her to share and to entertain, and she was a blessing.

I wish I did more of that. While her brand of southern hospitality is a little outdated (sorry Granny), am I creating my own modern brand of hospitality? What is my signature kindness?

Even though our traditions and styles have changed, practicing hospitality is still the same—true hospitality is love expressed in action. We each express it differently (and that’s okay). Hospitality is more about love and generosity than it is about cheese straws or Martha Stewart or having good taste (no offense to Martha).

I see different forms of hospitality expressed everywhere, in big-hearted ways. Every week, my friend Ginna hosts our Bible study group in her home. My Mama serves coffee to the elderly down at the retirement home, just to be kind. My friend Pat prays with patients (including me this year) right before they go into surgery. I am thankful for their beautiful examples of love in action.

Amy Carmichael said, “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” I think that means that true hospitality is not really about entertaining—it is about expressing love. Acts of hospitality occur naturally, when we love God and other people from the heart.

This Christmas, may we all search for our own unique, quirky ways to share and to care, even if it’s doing something simple. Let us not skip true hospitality, but continue to serve one another, especially during this season of joy and giving.

Prayer:

Lord, open our hearts and hands to those around us. May our hospitality and generosity flow out of our abundant love for you and for others. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

What is your signature act of kindness or hospitality?

  1. To whom can you open your home? Who might need your special brand of hospitality?

Treasure Hunt:

“Let love of your fellow believers continue. Do not neglect to extend hospitality to strangers [especially among the family of believers—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Heb. 13:1-2, AMP)

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…” (Matt. 25:35 ESV)

“Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.” (Is 58:7, NLT)

Faith in Action:

Invite others in and share your love.

Retouch-6Author:  May Patterson

May Patterson, author of the book A Time to Seek, began writing in response to God’s grace. And by His grace, she has written magazine articles, Bible studies, and spoken at a variety of events. Her desire is to help people draw closer to God. May is married to her dear friend Mike and they have three grown children. She has a great love for the outdoors, travel and blogging at http://maypatterson.tumblr.com

 

10 Comments

  1. Melissa Tepool December 2, 2015 at 9:02 am

    Love this May!!

     
    • may Patterson December 3, 2015 at 7:22 am

      Thank you Melissa! I’d love to hear what funny ways YOUR family extended hospitality–it’s fun to remember and share. No telling what our kids/grandkids might notice or write about us someday!

       
  2. Kim Davis December 3, 2015 at 9:44 am

    This is so beautiful, May. Where can I get your book?

     
    • may Patterson December 3, 2015 at 10:45 am

      Thank you Kim! It made me smile as I wrote this, just remembering how things used to be, long ago. There are so many good things we can learn from those that have gone before us. My book is available on Amazon. Actually it is a Bible study workbook titled A Time to Seek.

       
  3. Cindy Thomason December 3, 2015 at 10:14 am

    Your beautiful words touched my heart May.

     
    • may Patterson December 3, 2015 at 10:50 am

      Thank you Cindy! Did your Grandmother do the cheese straw thing too, or was it just mine? We kids used to tease her about it (and a lot of other things). Thankfully, she had a great sense of humor.

       
  4. Susan Park December 3, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    I love this May! It is so wonderful! I remember your dear grandmother so well, and am sure I had a cheese straw or two of hers. What wonderful memories of such an outstanding lady. Nothing beats good southern hospitality.

     
    • May Patterson December 4, 2015 at 7:13 am

      I agree Susan. Thanks for enjoying this sweet memory with me. Merry Christmas!

       
  5. Pat Stewart December 4, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I’m sure your grandmother has a smile on her face and telling everyone in heaven how proud of you she is ! ! I would have loved to have met her but since I did not get that chance, the Lord introduced me to the next best thing – her beautiful, sweet, kind and loving granddaughter. I thank God for you because you are not just sweet and kind sometimes or every now and then, I know for a fact that you are that way all the time.

    Never forget that your life and the way you live it has a huge influence on all of those around you and I know that the Lord is so pleased with His sweet servant!

    I love “True Hospitality at Christmas”, what an inspiration!

    I pray that you and your beautiful family have a blessed and fantastic Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

    Love you all,
    Pat Stewart

     
  6. may Patterson December 7, 2015 at 9:21 am

    Thanks Pat! AND thank you for giving me such a good example of hospitality by praying with me before my surgery. It gave me such peace that day. What a great way to bless others. Hope you have a great holiday time with your family, too!

     

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