When Hospitality is Messy

My toddler Sam cares very little about impressing anyone. He eats with gusto, snorting and shoving fistfuls of food into his mouth with no concern for the mess he creates. He laughs as he throws his sippy cup, splattering milk up the walls. With his dimpled, chubby brown hands, he pinches my nose so hard my eyes water and he grins while I pull away from his freakishly strong, sticky grip.

He passes gas publicly, loudly, and shamelessly. He drools and violently throws his books and proudly wears his stained, cracker-crusted onesie snapped between his chunky, creased thighs. He wears a runny nose like an accessory to his adorable round face. Any attempt to wipe his nose is met with head thrashing and yelling. If onlookers stare in wonder at this toddler screaming and tossing his head like a wild stallion, he is oblivious.

He worships with abandon. During our time of music and song at church, he smiles and yells as he stretches his pudgy hands to the sky. I wonder if he knows the One to whom we sing. Is he aware that Heaven sees his sweet palms reaching up to the Giver of life?

Despite Sam’s loud opinions and intense personality, he shows a sincere desire to connect with people…

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