Hospitality

Hospitality, What’s That?

Depending on your culture and how you were raised, hospitality can have different definitions and look different as well. One thing all cultures have in common is: people. Hospitality is about the people.

True hospitality is established in the love of Christ, as Mark stated:

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

-Mark 10:45

The purpose of hospitality is self-less love in action or a selfless act of love. I was born in Romania, Europe, where hospitality was passed down throughout the generations. Living in a small village, your home was always welcomed to strangers and neighbors alike. One never left a home empty-handed or with an empty belly. It is truly more blessed to give than to receive, (Acts 20:35). The joy that comes from giving your own time, energy or resources to someone else is indescribable.

Hospitality is others focused, and that is when we look more like Jesus Christ, when we focus on others, and not ourselves. As I have grown up, I’ve seen my own parents in action giving of their time freely, open up their home to strangers, give their money, resources, pray for others, laugh and cry with others and that showed me in action what true hospitality looks like. When we see selfless love in action, it ignites us to do the same thing. When we are the recipient of an act of love, we are blessed.

Now, married and with four children, my husband and I have opened up our home to host, but also to help others in need for 10 years and continue to do so with our children. It is truly a joy to pass down a lifestyle of putting others before oneself. We get to build a community wherever we go. The essence of being hospitable is putting others before oneself. I truly love people, and I love learning, so hosting others in my home came not only naturally to me, but it’s who I am: A servant of Jesus Christ.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

-John 13:34-35

One of the greatest examples of being hospitable is a lady I personally know who passed away a year ago: Sora Ratz. She was born in Hungary and didn’t have much, but she had a very nice blouse she had kept for herself in her closet. At one point, there was someone that she had come in contact with that had less than she did, so she gave her the very nice blouse she had because she knew the lady needed it more than she did. Are we willing to step outside of our own comfort and think of others first? Are you ready to let God lead your heart to be Christ-like to the world around us, who are in desperate need of Him?

What I learned from hospitality is not only who people are, but I’ve learned how much God loves His people and desires to be with them, to know them. The love of God is so incredible, that if we let Him transform us, He will! All we have to do is to be willing, available and say: “Yes!”

What’s next? You may ask. Take that next step to think about another person and then call them, invite them over, or bring a meal to their house! You’ll be forever blessed yourself.

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

-Proverbs 11:25

May the love of Christ compel you to be bold, strong and keep the faith in serving God, advancing His Kingdom and serving others.

Sincerely,

Alina Swanson

Biography

My name is Alina Swanson, I currently reside in Water Valley, Mississippi. My family and I recently moved down south from Kenosha, Wisconsin. We have 4 children and now 7 acres of land and 38 animals! Before I was married, I had gotten my Masters of Intercultural Studies at Moody Theological Seminary for Missions in Chicago and my Bachelors in Business Administration from National-Louis University. I worked at a Pharmaceutical Company for 8yrs working my way up in the Corporate world, until God blessed us with 4 beautiful children. Now I manage the household! We also have a Construction Business, my husband is in the Army Reserves, Military Police Unit.  I love reading, writing, being outdoors,  trying new restaurants, and sharing the Gospel, I love life and am so beyond grateful to God for sending Jesus Christ to save me.