Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9

Hospitality comes from a grateful heart. It never comes from a sense of obligation, for that would lead to complaint, or from a sense of duty, for that would lead to pride. True hospitality comes from a heart that is grateful that the King of kings swung open the gates of heaven and declared me a beloved saint and a joint heir with Christ. Because of His grace, God has attended to my every need. He initiated His daily acts of loving-kindness without my even asking. It's this divine hospitality that enables and encourages me (Teresa) to share hospitality with others—particularly my spouse.

In an effort to encourage hospitality within marriage relationships, we often encourage cou­ples to more often address each other with words of endearment such as "sweetheart" or "dear." That's because we believe that such simple words, when they are lovingly shared from a grateful heart, can bring a more invit­ing atmosphere to a relationship.

Hospitality is not something we show just to visitors or at special holiday occasions with extended family. Hospitality in marriage helps make our home a place of refuge and rest. The warmth of affirming words and tender care welcomes a spouse home. Preserving harmony with kindness and selfless giving draws us together for reflections on each day.

Considering together the exciting, fun things that happened each day allows us to "rejoice with those who rejoice," while considering together the disappointing or sad things that happened during each day allows us to "mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15). This keeps us connected in the good things as well as the painful things.

That is a beautiful picture of hospitality within a marriage.

Thanks, Father, for the hospitality my spouse and I can show one another daily.