Miss Hospitality
Rusty and I had to make a trip to Vicksburg this weekend to tend to some family business. As I sat in a building near the Old Courthouse Museum, I thought of how many people travel to the area to see the historic buildings and homes of the Hospitality State. I laugh about that phrase because although I’m from Mississippi, hospitality is not one of my strong points.
I grew up in a town near Natchez and later on in life I realized that people travel from all over the world to see the many Antebellum homes with their grand architecture and furnishings. My friend, Lisa, and I made it our mission to visit a few of these homes and see what all the hype was about.
My absolute favorite will always be Longwood. If you’re ever in the area and only have time to visit one, I would suggest that you see it. The fact that it was never completed is an added bonus as you’re able to see some of the old ways of construction as well as the tools that were left behind.
As magnificent as the buildings are, some of the stories are even better. Many of them have pineapples carved in bed frames or on display in other areas of the home. We were told they were a symbol of hospitality but also of wealth since they were so hard to acquire back then. One of the stories told in one of the homes (Auburn, I believe) was that a pineapple would be placed on a bed to welcome guests, but if you had been staying for a while and you came in to find another pineapple sitting on your bed, it meant that you had overstayed your welcome and it was time to leave, lol.
I’m reminded of Paul’s letter to the church at Laodicea in the book of Colossians. Paul had many friends but Nympha is mentioned in verse 15 of chapter 4. She is believed to be his hospitable friend who hosted church meetings in her home. I guess this could be likened to modern day Small Group meetings.
Although I may never be a modern day Nympha and will probably never be in the running for Miss Hospitality, I’m glad there are people who still have this calling and are willing to open their homes for believers to study the Word of God.
Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. -Colossians 4:15
LONGWOOD - Natchez, MS
*Some photos courtesy of Wikipedia
Bed on display in the Old Courthouse Museum
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