"Happy Birthday Becca!"

Today I am diverting from the series in The Unsearchable Riches of Christ because it is my daughter-in-law’s birthday! We’ll continue with the series tomorrow, but today I am compelled to write a few lines because of the tremendous inspiration Becca has been to me since she joined our family. This last year I have had the privilege of spending quite a lot of time with both David and Becca as I have stayed in their home when I traveled and worked in Texas. The warmth of hospitality and gracious way I have been treated each time has not gone unnoticed. Some would say that is merely the “normal” course of behavior; however I have counseled enough couples in my years to know it is not an automatic response. It is a conscious choice that one makes to accept and love your spouse’s family. Sometimes it is not an easy choice either!

Hospitality is often a lost art in today’s world, even among family members. Sometimes it merely seems like one more thing to do in an already overcrowded schedule. It is true that entertaining guests, especially family, is often overwhelming. However, it can be a great blessing to both the one who gives it and the one receiving it. Our reading today speaks clearly to the point:

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. (1 Peter 4:8-11 NIV).

The key is in showing God’s love through our hospitality. That is done best simply by being warm and welcoming. Isn’t that the real picture of God? You see it’s not just a matter of opening our home to someone. That is important. However the real gift of hospitality is in opening your heart to someone. That is the real gift. I have always felt an open heart from Becca. In fact, both my daughter-in-laws, are such gracious women. That means more to me than I could ever describe.

Let me go further and challenge you to be hospitable to both your family and those around you. Open your heart to them. Give them the gift of acceptance. Perhaps you have someone in your family or circle of friends that just seems to be hard to “like.” View them as God views them. You will find yourself in a much better position to be gracious toward them!

Happy Birthday, Becca! Thanks for everything you mean to our family, especially to me!