The true test of hospitality comes when another’s comfort rises at our expense and the exchange is unseen. There is value in welcoming a friend, there is honor suffering for another. But to lose in secret for another’s gain, then we flourish.
When will we beg at midnight?
When should wisdom unlock the door?
When does justice collect its memories?
When mercy is more.
When hospitality swims shallow, we see merriment.
When hospitality runs deep, we feel loss.
When hospitality is invisible, there is love.
When mercy is more.
Oh, the intangible brilliance of veiled charity.
libations of kindness without leverage.
When mercy is more…
Then we know who hospitality is for.
-B.Oaks
“5-6 Then he said, “Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don’t have a thing on hand.’
7 “The friend answers from his bed, ‘Don’t bother me. The door’s locked; my children are all down for the night; I can’t get up to give you anything.’
8 “But let me tell you, even if he won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need.
9 “Here’s what I’m saying:
Ask and you’ll get;
Seek and you’ll find;
Knock and the door will open.
10-13 “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need.”