In his book, “Reaching Out”, Henri Nouwen wrote, “Hospitality,
therefore, means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can
enter and become a friend instead of an enemy.
Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where
change can take place.” Chaplain Brent
Janke, clergy for Aurora Hospital in Grafton, Wisconsin, has this placed on the
wall in the chapel of this hospital. He
goes on to say that it is his “hope…that this place would be a free, open,
inviting space…” He invited people to
come to take a moment, in their comfortable space and understanding, to regroup
and recharge.
One of my dearest friends, I’ll call him Jai to remain anonymous, will sometimes suddenly proclaim he needs his battery recharged. He is typically talking about his energy
levels and the fact that he needs food to recharge. But how wonderful would it be if we could
recognize, before we spiritually starve, our need to recharge our
spirit-battery? To take a quick moment
to plug in to our spiritual outlet, feel the surge of the spirit coursing
through our veins, and walk away lifted
just a little bit higher than when we arrived; is what we call a gift of grace!
As you walk in to your personal space, feel the hospitality
of the Spirit. Allow the free space to
be welcoming to your tired feet, and your rushing mind. Take some time today – perhaps in the oddest
and most unsuspected place, to stop and plug in…recharge…refocus…refresh…and
regroup.
Creating God, you have provided us with so many
opportunities to take a quick stop.
Forgive us when we allow our spirit-battery to fail before recharging
takes place. Send your Spirit to dwell
within us to bring us comfort and peace.
Amen.
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