Rejecting Comparison

Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Romans 12:13

The first house Aaron and I owned was a 1960s two-bedroom rambler, whose exterior was painted an unforgettable shade of seafoam green. While our house was painfully retro instead of cool, it didn’t stop us from inviting others in. We refused to compare ourselves with acquaintances living in far fancier houses. We viewed our house as a tool for ministering to others by throwing open our lives and inviting others to journey alongside us, and so that’s what we did.

I still smile at the memories of parties we held in that tiny house. We had old friends, new acquaintances, and everyone in between squeezing inside for game nights or spilling out into the backyard for bonfires, their cars lining the length of the street. All the neighbors wondered about those two youngsters who lived in the little old lady’s former house.

We even met our very best friends while we lived in that seafoam-green house. While we eventually outgrew that little house and moved just a bit down the road into something better suited to a growing family, I am so grateful that we decided early on never to let notions of whether our house was “good enough” for entertaining stop us from opening our front door. I think of all the fun we had, all the memories we made, and the deep and sustaining friendships we developed in that house simply because we refused to let materialism be a part of our decision-making process.

It was a lesson we learned early, and one I return to again and again. People crave personal relationships, time spent in community, and authentic friendships. I refuse to allow my possessions (or lack thereof) to stop me from offering relationship, community, and friendship to those around me. As Christians, we are repeatedly exhorted to show hospitality to others, and I am convinced that is because we are best set up to introduce others to Christ when we share meals, invite them into our homes, and open our lives.

Is the trap of comparison stopping you from showing hospitality? Prayerfully consider how you might overcome this trap today.

—Julie

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Whatever the state of your home, invite a friend or two over for a meal, coffee, or just a life-giving chat.

From the book