It is such a joy to reflect and share on Mama’s legacy of hospitality, a legacy I have
come to learn that I inherited from her. As I reflect, I am reminded of multiple Bible stories
that highlight the incredible importance of hospitality.
One of the first examples appears in the time of Abraham, when he unknowingly
extended hospitality to angels, and blessings came to him for his act of kindness. Lot is
another example of one that practiced hospitality and it caused him and his family to escape
the distraction of his city. The Shunamite woman, had a child after many years of barrenness
because of extending hospitality to a prophet of the Lord who ended up raising her child
back to life as well. In the new testament, we are reminded of Zacchaeus the tax collector
whose act of hospitality brought Salvation to his household. Studying these Biblical
examples show me how much of an abundance of blessings Mama received because of
opening her heart and her home to people who needed it the most.
Growing up, we always had several people in our home. We were already very many
children, Mama had fifteen of us, but this did not stop her from hosting people who needed a
place to stay, it was second nature for Mama. We grew up with this concept that material
things or food in our home, belonged to everyone who happened to be there. At times, these
things belonged to future expected guests as well. Mama had an ‘elastic’ heart, an elastic
home and elastic finances. To her, there was always room for one more person. Somehow,
she knew how to multiple the little resources we had, so everyone had a share of what they
needed.
As she grew older, her hospitality seemed to increase. Mama hosted all her
daughter’s wedding at her home no matter the number of guests. After we were all married,
she started hosting weddings for our cousins and distant relatives and daughters of friend’s
she made along her life journey. Mama did all this cheerfully. She loved it when we dropped
all our children, her grandkids, at her home for long weekends and during vacations, so that
as young parents, we get uninterrupted time of rest. When Mama retired, we provided her
with a monthly income to support her. However, by the end of the first week, her allowance
would be gone. Because, she had several people that needed financial help and she
compassionately shared her limited income. Periodically, she asked all of us and our friends
to gather clothes, shoes and scholastic materials in order to support children in her
neighborhood. Mama always put others first, at times she totally forgot herself.
Growing up it felt like hosting and caring for people was a way of life. I find that like
Mama, I love having people in our home, and I used to think that is how everyone was
raised. It was not until my siblings pointed out unanimously how hospitable I can be. I now
realize this was the gift Mama would leave with me. I find that there are never limitations
to helping and hosting people. Like Mama, it is second nature for me to open our home to
anyone that needs it. My children always describe with exaggeration how during our 2013
Christmas holidays, we hosted fifteen people for over two weeks in our three-bedroom town
home in Lancaster PA. I was having the time of my life. To me, that holiday felt like an
incredible time of laughter and joy, everyone fitted in well and there was still room for more.
That holiday reminded me of my childhood. My children and siblings always say that they
have evidence that I create excuses to hold dinner parties, whether it is just for 4 more
people in the house, or celebrating surprise birthday parties for family members, or hosting
my office of over forty colleagues or over seventy international guests visiting our country.
We find that Mathew 25: 35-40; Jesus said, “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, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Mama perfectly embodied this scripture. I feel
extremely blessed that she passed on the legacy of hospitality to me. I plan on carrying this
legacy with fervor for the rest of my life, and like Mama, be that person Jesus was referring
to in this verse.
Take some time to reflect what Hospitality means to you. I believe that it is one of the most
beautiful blessings that you can give to the people around you. The impact it has, is beyond
measure, and the blessings received from God are incredible
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