Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! Today is party day here so we will be going to Costco for the cake and celebrating the May birthdays. Always a fun time and we feel blessed to live in a place where there are many gatherings and daily opportunities to share with others.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Recently we watched home movies and so many took place around our table in different parsonages or at our retreat house with family and various groups of young and old. As I look back, I am thankful for the energy and joy to host the groups. In those days, we had center pieces and used real dishes, cloth table linens and cloth napkins folded in napkin holders etc. It gave the sense that friends and neighbors were special, thought about. and cherished.
  But I recently read an article by Abby Turner Kuykendall who wrote of The Other Side of Hospitality which is a little harder for me.as she writes about receiving hospitality and being served as well. In her words, “True hospitality involves something deeper, something beyond perfectly set tables and meticulously planned gatherings? What if it’s about opening our hearts to the natural ebb and flow of our season, recognizing that there are times for both serving and being served?” She is in the season of being served as she has a new baby and is a fulltime worker and is accepting help from her husband and others.                                                                                 We also need help in our lives at various times and must learn to accept being served as well. Think of examples in Scripture like Jesus who came to serve and even wash feet of his disciples but was also served by Mary and Martha and others. Receiving makes us more vulnerable and opens up space for a deeper and closer connection with others. We have only to go through hip surgery, death of a loved one etc. and it helps us become good receivers for a time with great appreciation of being served.                                                                                                                 Even though it may be more comfortable for us to be in the serving role, we need to be willing to receive. It may not be a meal, but it could be simply someone listening to us and hearing our heart. We will find that we become more deeply connected as we not only give out but receive.  As it says in Prov. 11:25, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Challenge for today: Embrace the season you are in if that changes, be ready to embrace it.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy