October 30, 2017
How May I Help You?
Arlene Pellicane
Today’s Truth
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9, NIV).
Friend to Friend
My husband likes to say, “I’m not sure what my favorite day of the year is. It’s a toss-up between my birthday and Father’s Day.”
Cue my “Oh brother!” look.
He means it as a joke and I know that. Of course he loves getting special treatment on holidays and birthdays. Who wouldn’t? Most of us would like to be the one being pampered than the one doing the pampering!
We don’t often feel like serving. Yet we can choose to serve…with a smile.
When you walk into a nice hotel or store, an employee who says something like “How may I help you” usually greets you?
They may not feel like showing hospitality, but it’s part of their job description to smile and make you feel welcome.
As believers in Jesus, it’s a part of our job description to offer hospitality to each other. As we see in today’s verse, we’re also supposed to give it without grumbling.
Minutes before having guests for dinner, I have been known to stress out, bark out last minute orders to my kids, and start running around the house frantically from task to task. I’ve grumbled before entertaining about the preparation and the amount of work it requires to clean the house.
That’s why today’s verse hits me. I’m supposed to offer hospitality without grumbling. This doesn’t come naturally. Perhaps that’s why the Bible includes this instruction.
In the ancient world of the Bible, hospitality was very important because inns were often dangerous places and room was not always available for travelers. Peter writes about displaying real love in everyday life – by generously serving others, even when it’s inconvenient. Hebrews 13:2 says it this way, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
If we are to offer hospitality to strangers without grumbling, it’s probably a good idea to offer hospitality to our family members too.
When it’s my husband’s favorite day (whether that’s Father’s Day or a birthday), I should serve with a smile and cheerful attitude. I should look for ways to out-do his expectations instead of serving with an “Okay, is that enough?” disposition.
Whether we are entertaining strangers, pouring milk for our children, or bringing a meal to a sick friend, we are to serve with a smile. Without grumbling.
Galatians 5:13 says to “serve one another humbly in love.” We might not work at a luxury hotel, restaurant, or shop, but we can live in such a way that says to others “Welcome. I’m glad you’re here. How may I help you?”
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I know You desire for me to show hospitality to others. Help me to do this when I don’t feel like it. Give me a Christ-like attitude of service both with strangers and those closest to me. Change me into a more loving and patient woman.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Do you think your disposition communicates, “How may I help you?” on most days? Why is this attitude glorifying to God?
More from the Girlfriends
Need some help when it comes to serving your spouse? Learn to dream once again about the man you married in Arlene’s book 31 Days to Happy Husband.
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