My mother was a true southern woman when it came to hospitality. Effortlessly she would make any guest feel as if they were literally welcome to sit with their feet on the coffee table in their underwear if they so desired - and burp out loud, if so inclined. And yet, our greatest fear was a house fire and getting out in time - every door double locked and fastened and windows with broom handles in the window sill - she was terrified of someone breaking in.
An inviting heart..... asking in, receiving, welcoming, making the other comfortable and "at home" or better than home, turning no one away, accepting, providing food, quenching the other's thirst, conversation, sharing, laughter, hugs, silence that is comfortable with tears and words not requiring a voice, a washing away of all that you carried in and bathing you in the moments of now, surrounded with effortless grace and open arms, putting your feet on the coffee table as you sit in your underwear and burp - or even take a nap. An inviting heart whispering, "whoever, whatever you are, come in and take of all I have."
And if Life has given us the capacity to have such a heart...do we dare, can we even imagine what the invitation must read like, from Life's inviting heart, signed wistfully with
R.S.P.V.
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