“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” – John 12:9-13
Just up the street from my house is my dry cleaners. It is in a very convenient place, right on my way to work. They always do a great job on my clothes. I must admit that I have tried, for many years, to be much better at doing my own laundry, but I have yet to master the art of ironing pleats. So, when I am ready, I take my clothes to the cleaners. It is so easy. I drop them off one day and pick them up clean and pressed the next.
I don’t just go to my cleaners because of the convenient location, or because they do a great job on pleats at a great price. I go to my cleaners because of how I am treated every time I walk in the door. I am always greeted with a warm smile and, most often, I am greeted by name. It is amazing to me that they know my name. After all, I know I am not their only customer. I have a feeling they work hard to treat every person who walks into their business the same.
It is such a great feeling when I am greeted with kindness and hospitality. I feel like I am welcomed, like I belong. It is wonderful customer service. My interaction at my cleaners also reminds me of how we are to treat one another throughout the day. As a people of faith, we are called to be welcoming. We are to work to be hospitable to the people around us. Our world can be a difficult place where people are often made to feel like outsiders. When we share a warm smile, a kind greeting, we can help to bring joy and peace to our neighbors as they feel welcomed because of our actions.
I want to encourage you today to “practice hospitality.” God has shown us such love and kindness. God has welcomed us into a family of faith. Let us practice the same loving kindness and welcome our neighbors today.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
