I am so thankful for people with the gift of hospitality! Who doesn’t love to be on the receiving end of it? It’s part of the reason I love to travel. I’ve learned that hospitality in each culture looks a little different, but all in all, it’s about welcoming and accepting. In Asia (and probably other places) we show hospitality with food, in South America, kisses on the cheeks, and in Africa, tea (or coffee) and laughter.
(When I lived in Malaysia, I use to go Christmas shopping here!)
Today is Chinese New Year, so to those celebrating, Happy New Year! I was reminded of the importance of hospitality yesterday. A young Chinese man made almond cookies and he came up to me and told me he had made them to share for Chinese New Year. He brought Chinese New Year to me! I love when people don’t wait around for permission to share their culture. It is part of their hospitality to me… an intentional welcoming act of inviting me into his life.
How are you practicing hospitality today? How are you inviting people into your culture?
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