Diary of an Apprentice - Book Review 2
Hannah O'Donnell, 21st January 2022
Our most recent book on the apprenticeship reading list was suggested by Nathan, it focused on Christian hospitality.
'The Gospel Comes with a House Key' by Rosaria Butterfield.
"Those who live out radically ordinary hospitality see their homes not as theirs at all but as God's good gift to use for the furtherance of his kingdom. They open doors; they seek out the underprivileged. They know that the gospel comes with a house key."
Rosaria spoke zealously of the vital importance of 'radically ordinary hospitality'. 'Radical', in that, it is no longer the social norm in today's age to have our homes open for all, at any time. So, she explains that we need to act radically. And 'ordinary', in that, it needs to become normal - or, ordinary! - to have all people welcome to our homes at any cost.
The book spoke of how important hospitality is as a Christian, both in giving and receiving. Before reading this book I was under the very narrow impression that hospitality is something that you either give through the openness of your home; or something that you receive by being welcomed into someone else's home. But in actual fact, there are appropriate moments in which both are true for just one person at one time. I'll explain...
You can give hospitality by welcoming people lovingly into your home and providing a space where Christ's love is central.
BUT. Whilst you give hospitality through your home and love, you too can be on the receiving end of hospitality from those very people who you have welcomed. It gives the opportunity for the guest to also be hospitable to the host, taking on some of your burdens (as the host) and showing support to you, just as you are showing support to them (as the guest).
This was a huge revelation to me, it was an idea that I had never even considered. An idea that really convicted and challenged me. Butterfield expressed such passion for hospitality throughout this whole book that I began to really desire and long to show earnest and full hospitality in my own everyday life.
This was a book filled to the brim with practical ways in which we can show hospitality to our neighbours; both believing and unbelieving neighbours. It described the whole spectrum of practical ways to show hospitality: FROM, huge ways like literally getting more house keys cut and giving them out to huge proportions of your church family. Or, making your home a safe place for the vulnerable to find peace and rest through adoption. TO, doing acts as little as folding the washing when being invited to someone's home who is noticeably very busy. Or, simply listening to someone talk about their struggles and burdens.
This book makes it abundantly clear that regardless of the end of the spectrum that you are practicing hospitality on, you are able to show the immense love of Christ towards your neighbour.
I was both encouraged and challenged, on repeat, by this book; and if you want to be encouraged and challenged too I really really urge you to give it a read.
I (obviously!) have a copy on my bookshelf that is begging to be opened again. So if you are interested, please let me know, you can read this one - AND, it gives me a chance to put its words into action! Win-win!