Hospitality to the young

Dear Friends, Yesterday we attended the funeral of a long time- motherly type friend. She will be missed for her warm hospitality and the love she showed to many a young person over the course of her life. She had 5 children but willingly welcomed many others into the home for a visit or a meal. She made a difference in her life and kept a few of us off the streets, (so to speak), allowing us time to be with other believers and enjoy Christian hospitality. Chapter 6 of Proverbs ends with Solomon being told by his father to avoid adultery. "But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself." Heading down the path of sexual sin is a step by step decision...usually this doesn't just happen all at once. It includes too much time alone with another person to allow temptations to increase. Our young people and young couples need places to go where they are accepted and are able to build positive relationships. How wonderful it is when families are willing to allow other teens or young couples into their homes for christian hospitality....to allow them a safe haven and a place to learn positive behavior. There are too few homes that offer this today....perhaps you could invite some others over for a meal, some games, a Bible study, or some other simple activity? When are children were younger we had an every other week get together, often it was shared by several couples. The young people traveled around from home to home, enjoying a meal and time together. It was a time that drew these young people or couples together and allowed for life long friendships. It took time, energy and $ getting the meal together but looking back, it was worth it! As I look out into the living room I can still see young people sitting everywhere, even up the stairs, since our house is small. The singing was excellent and many of the speakers that came were a blessing to all of us. We bought some board games that some of them enjoyed and the basketball hoop outside by the garage was helpful. Once we even had a ping pong table on the deck. Won't you consider opening your home to someone other than your family? A simple meal and discussion around the table can be a blessing to someone who has no family and is looking for acceptance. Let's don't leave doors open for our young people to make wrong decisions because no one has the time to care for them. A willingness with love and a little creativity is all that is needed. Give it a try.