Hospitality Brings Change for Homeless

Hospitality is a gift, and some folks do it well. I know a married couple who epitomizes hospitality. They've been known to take in a few individuals with challenging life situations. One man I know of, lived in their home for a half-year, getting his feet on the ground and getting grounded in his Christian faith. The fact that he came out of the drug scene is what's most amazing about their hospitality. That man today, is a productive citizen and a committed Christian, faithfully serving others in the church and community.

In their hospitality, this same couple offers lodging to out-of-town guests and in-town quests on occasion. So it should not have come as a surprise to me when I learned that they had taken in a homeless couple. Not only had they offered lodging, but they had been instrumental in helping the homeless couple secure work.

No Longer Homeless

Today, that homeless couple no longer lives in the woods. Although their campsite was expertly crafted with found objects and donated tarps, they chose to leave it in favor of a nice clean bed in a warm and friendly home. Now, the ex-homeless couple has laundered clothing and transportation--which is necessary in order to be accessible and prepared for work. Others in the church have found ways to help this family too. The investment in people is always a gamble, but oh, what a dividend!

Tarp-Tent Home in the Woods

It was a real joy to see the ex-homeless couple in church this morning, worshiping right along with the rest of us. But what really inspired me about them and their situation was this. In response to generosity offered them, they generously offered to others. When the no-longer homeless couple came across a new homeless family, they offered their well-built, tarp-tent home in the woods. Wow! If the homeless can give to the homeless, it leaves us no excuse.

Given to Hospitality

I am touched by the generosity of both couples offering their homes, and it makes me wonder--would I, could I be as generous and as hospitable as them? Would I open my home to a stranger? Would I turn over the car keys? Would I network to help find them work? Would I give to another, that which took me effort to create? What am I prepared to do with the resources I've been given?

Although I may not be called upon to offer a bed or loan out my car, there are other ways I could show hospitality. It's not always someone else's "gifting" or responsibility to be hospitable. We are each called in our own way to be given to hospitality. Sometimes hospitality is as simple as assisting a non-driver with transportation needs.

Hospitality makes a difference, one person at a time. Imagine how many lives have been changed though the hospitality and generosity of one couple, and how many more will be changed along the way.