Grandma’s Little Helper

By Cheri Cowell –

I expected it every time I visited my grandmother, she was either preparing a meal to take to someone in need, or she was putting “one away” for when she would hear of an illness or death in a friend’s family. I loved being grandma’s little helper in the kitchen as she prepared these meals. I learned a lot of lessons, some about cooking, but most were about life. As we cooked together she would talk about the needs of the person we were cooking for and how she always received more than she gave. Sometimes I would have the privilege of riding along with her to deliver her homemade “stoup” (soup that was so thick it almost qualified as stew), or her yummy chicken broccoli casserole. It was in the doorways as we delivered these dishes that I witnessed what it really looked like to practice hospitality.

Paul is explaining in this passage in his letter to the Roman church how to function as a body. He precedes this lesson on practical love by explaining that each of us is gifted in a unique way so that together we might serve others in God’s love. He ends this section by explaining that in order to practice true hospitality, we must first understand what true love means. Hospitality is, therefore, an outgrowth of mature love. My grandmother knew this and practiced what Paul preached.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:9-13 ESV).

PRAYER: Thank You, God, for the gifts I have been given. Help me to share them. Give me new opportunities to practice hospitality, to practice love.