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Extending Hospitality at Home and With the Church

During WWII children were being evacuated from France and Paris. I just finished reading Until We Find Home, a historical novel by Cathy Gohlke. It is a story of unexpected hospitality.

When Claire arrives at her aunt’s home in Windemere England with five French Jewish children she completely surprises her aunt who has become somewhat of a recluse.

Everyone is challenged in making this household work. England is rationing food and petrol. Three more children, this time from Germany, arrive. The household has cultural differences that all must learn to accept.

It is good to look back at difficult times in history and learn from them. The book has lots of meaning for my daughter (she recommended it to me). She and her husband are involved in foster care. They have adopted children from foster care.

Our situation is different from WWII. But we have needs for hospitality and self sacrifice. The church has a great opportunity to grow in hospitality by participating in or supporting foster care. There is a great need for foster care families in the United States.

Today the Five Minute Friday community is writing about: HOSPITALITY

Sharing this post with Inspire Me Monday

Carol is a follower of Jesus and a wife, mom & grandma. She worked for many years as a childbirth nurse and prenatal educator. She recently retired from clinical work. She has written articles for nursing journals and devotionals. Her novel, Aliisa's Letter, was published in 2010 and she is currently working on another project.

5 Comments on “Extending Hospitality at Home and With the Church

  1. You’re so right when you say that adding in the cultures make hospitality even more challenging! One year we had a girl from France and a girl from China living with us–we all had a lot of adjusting to do!

  2. Our home is a lifeboat for abandoned dogs, and the odd (very odd, for wanting to live with twenty dogs!) cat.

    Thus, a sonnet.

    I’ve dried many a stray dog’s tears,
    and dealt with runs, dealt with fleas.
    Now my wife quite rightly fears
    that I’ll take in some refugees.
    I mean, why not? They need a place
    and one surely can assume
    that God has given us the grace
    and a biggish living room.
    There can be bedrolls on the floor
    and they can enjoy what was unseen,
    a night of peace, me at the door,
    guarding with an M-16.
    If we don’t save them from the kill,
    tell me now; who will?

    #1 at FMF this week

    https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/08/your-dying-spouse-659-say-what-fmf.html

  3. Hi Carol – visiting from FMF. Your neighbor today! This book sounds like one I would really enjoy. I think I will look for it. You mentioned “unexpected hospitality” – for me, that is the best kind. One where I don’t overthink and, so often, overcomplicate but embrace the best I am able. Have a wonderful weekend!!

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