A Lighter Way Week 10: Receiving Holy Hospitality
Jul 25, 2026Reflection
Luke 10:41-42
The Lord Jesus replied,
"Martha, Martha, you have troubles in your mind about many things.
But only one thing is really important. That is what Mary has chosen to do. Nobody will take it away from her."
One Sunday recently I was trying really hard to be productive. There were things left undone from the week that I didn't want to carry into the new week. But after a week or so of particularly busy days, full of conflict and chaos, I felt weary, worn, and simply depleted.
I just didn't have the energy to do anything else. I was conflicted. How many times am I torn between just sitting quietly, resting with the sights, sounds and smells of nature, and getting things done?
I sat on the porch for a few precious moments of solitude, trying to motivate myself to get to work. Conditions were perfect. It was cooler than it had been all week, it was slightly overcast and there was a welcome breeze.
The icing on the metaphorical cake was that the strong breeze was moving my new set of chimes, singing a heavenly lullaby. In all of this, I sensed Gods invitation to rest, to surrender whatever was on the list to be done and just take a nap in his loving arms.
Even as I was resisting it, thinking there was something else I should be doing, I knew it was exactly what I needed.
I finally surrendered and accepted God's Holy Hospitality. I laid my head down and rested, allowing myself to be nourished and restored. I woke up refreshed and deeply grateful.
Through these perfect conditions, in the sound of the chimes soothing my weary soul, in the holy invitation, I felt deeply seen, known and cherished by God.
It reminded me of so many times that whatever I happened to be needing at the time arrived right on time. And how important it is to resist the temptation to fall in line with the cultural status quo and instead connect with the deepest, truest, most divine parts of myself and simply listen. And deeply breathe. In. Out. Repeat.
Practice
Take a few moments to notice:
How is God welcoming you?
Where are you experiencing feeling seen and known?
Where are you being invited into rest?
Consider:
- What part of you needs rest?
- What is clanging in your life that you are being invited to release?
- What is resonating within you right now that you can simply sit with and savor?
Set an intention for today or this week to create space for this invitation. Practice honoring that time, allowing yourself to receive God's holy hospitality, and gently releasing whatever else is clamoring for your attention.
Blessing:
May you be quiet and still as you sit at the feet of Jesus and listen, or rest in the loving arms of God.
May you resist the pressure to do when you are being invited to rest.
May you have the courage to receive God's invitation of Holy Hospitality, even when other things are clamoring for your attention.
May you receive this deep welcome and the experience, even if for a moment, of being seen, known, and fully loved.
This tenth reflection comes from Jill Wright, Leadership Council Member, Guardian of Financial Well-being, and Graduate of WTC's School of Spiritual Direction.
Photo: Jill resting on her covered porch
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