I did an episode back in the beginning of Summer on fun summer hospitality ideas. And I realized that other than that, I haven't covered hospitality here on my podcast since episode #5! So it's time to do a mini-series on hospitality. 

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Hospitality is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. I am very passionate about it and have honestly fallen in love with it over the last several years. 

But since starting to practice hospitality I've also had 5 babies, lost my mother, moved five times, etc. Life gets busy and overwhelming and the thought of starting or adding back in hospitality can be daunting! 

But hospitality can also be an amazing way to serve throughout the busy seasons! Especially for me in this season of little kids, hospitality becomes the #1 way in which I can realistically serve. 

It’s really easy in the busy seasons of our lives to feel like there’s not a lot of time to serve. We want to serve our neighbors, be good influences for extended family, and reach out and serve within our local churches.

 But it can be tough when you are working full time, or you are homeschooling, or you have a house full of littles. It can be tough to find areas to serve. 

The importance of serving in every season

 As Christians, our lives are one big call to serve. We are to actively seek to die to ourselves and live for Christ. As we will discuss, what this looks like changes from season to season and family to family. But the Bible is clear: Our live purpose is most fulfilled when we seek to serve.

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” -  John 12:26 

“Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” - Joshua 22:5

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20

“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” - Luke 9:23

 It’s not an easy task, but God has called us to a life of serving. He has called us to deny ourselves and think of Christ. Of course, we will never be perfect in this, but it is what we are to strive for. Serving others and laying aside self. 

So regardless of the season, we are called to serve with our lives. We are to serve God and serve others.

Our service goes far beyond simple good acts

“We’ll talk about this much more in due time, but for now, fellow nurturers, know this: When we serve others – discipling, changing diapers, saving lives at a pregnancy resource center, stacking chairs after Sunday School – it is more than human do-goodery. It is holy and acceptable worship done unto the Lord. All of it is possible because our High Priest, Jesus, went before us. His blood speakers for us in our atonement and in our priestly work done here in the outer court of the world. Your service unto God is holy.” Missional Motherhood by Gloria Furman

But different seasons come with different responsibilities. As a believer, I am called to use my life to serve. But in this current season,