I decided this week that it might be a good idea if we install a revolving door — the kind frequently seen at the entrance of a fancy hotel or downtown bank. The way I have it figured as guests approach they would simply need to quicken their step to avoid being hit by the ever-moving walls. The benefit to me is cleanliness: they would enter without a lot of wind, debris, tag-along pets or skateboards or horse tack coming in with them. The sheer motion would quickly hurry them inside then move them out when their business has been conducted.

Besides its practicality, it would certainly fit in well with the open door policy we have established at our house. If you are a friend of our children you are welcome. You can even bring a friend if you find comfort in numbers and you do not need to call ahead.

My husband and I instituted such a policy years ago because we greatly enjoy our kids and their friends and assumed the day would eventually come when they would become social beings. We wanted our teenagers to be able to count on a place to relax and eat and simply hang if they so desire. We are getting what we wanted. Our teenaged daughters and their sociable 10-year-old brother are on the go and the parade is nearly constant.

In fact, there is rarely a dull moment and sometimes I get caught doing things that look just a bit silly. The other day I greeted several kids who found me lying on the carpet to soak up some stray rays of sunshine during a lazy Sunday afternoon. I felt toasty and sleepy and could not for the life of me move off my spot to personally answer the door. I hollered a greeting and waved as they walked into the room, to find me planted squarely on the floor. Entertaining is frequently not glamorous.

And perhaps that is the point: I am learning that there are few times when I sense God is calling me to be entertaining. What I think God really wants me to be is hospitable. Welcoming. Generous. Somewhat vulnerable and always real.

I watched hospitality in action every single time I was invited to visit Nicky Robson’s home as a young girl. Nicky has been a lifelong homemaker but became an expert caterer during the years she ran the church kitchen. She also loved more than anything to bring her large extended family together for holidays, anniversaries and birthdays, and Nicky and her husband Bill were never deterred by their modest income or tiny home. By the time we all arrived we not only filled every single room of their house but poured out into the backyard. Frankly, they had no real place to put us but it mattered not to anyone. We lined up in her kitchen, heaped our plates with the most amazing food ever, then headed to any available spot to visit and eat. Many times we grabbed a spot on the rug or snagged the corner of a bed and yet we would rather be there in their home, with them, than any other place. They modeled grace and love, charm and generosity. They were all that God called them to be and we all experienced such blessings from those celebrations.

If you would like to identify a biblical model for hospitality turn to the gospels for references to two women — Mary and Martha, both identified as sisters to Lazarus who is famous because he was raised out of death by Jesus. They were a good team and brought to their home different aspects to hospitality. Martha was the worker bee. She planned, cleaned, cooked, and one gets the feeling nearly ran herself ragged. Mary chose to be hospitable by displaying interest in her guests’ words and demonstrating a worshipful attitude through personal interaction than cleaning her home or preparing meals.

Beyond the human dynamics that are interesting about this story, God uses Mary and Martha’s story to prompt some self evaluation. Are you so busy planning and preparing that you allow no time for Him? Are you using your own style of hospitality to serve people around you? Does a desire to worship God motivate hospitality in you?

Let us give some thought to those who rotate in and out of our lives this week. Let us look for ways to love and serve them, anticipating the untold blessing.

Joan Bay Klope is a freelance writer and a former editor of Christian books. Contact her at jbklope@hotmail.com