A Hospitable Home: A Child Will Lead You

hospitality - A Hospitable Home: A Child Will Lead You

A little child will lead them. Isaiah 11:6, NIV

Ann and Scott brought their three-year-old daughter, Amy, to one of our family conferences. Scott was frustrated over the lack of peace in his home, over his not feeling Ann’s warmth and hospitality at the end of his long day. Ann complained of Scott’s daily white-glove inspections of her housework. She had desperately tried to please him with her looks, her cooking, and her parenting. Eventually, she finally gave up and burst forth in fits of rage, sometimes throwing things.

After an evening session, we all went back to our room and discussed Ann’s periodic rages. As we talked, Amy explored the new surroundings, touching everything she could reach, playing with the phone, and throwing pillows off the couch. After no more than five minutes together, Scott had told Amy at least twenty times, “No!” “Stop!” “Quit!” and “Put that down!” Finally, in a fit of anger, Amy hit her dad with the phone.

We could see that both Ann and Amy had grown tired of seeking Scott’s approval and were retaliating. As Scott learned, doing things for the approval, acceptance, and love of others reaps a hollow victory and robs a home of warmth and openness.

Teresa quietly began to entertain Amy with an imaginary “peep-eye” game. She then reached down to welcome Amy into her lap and began to whisper secrets to her. Amy settled down and was soon fast asleep in Teresa’s arms. Scott was amazed when his daughter’s bad behavior had subsided.

The lessons from Amy that evening were just what Ann and Scott needed. They saw a demonstration of what Christ’s love looks like. Jesus looked beyond our faults and saw our needs, and that is what our marriages, families, and homes are meant to do.

How can you begin today to see beyond your family’s faults and see their needs?