When I lived in Stephens, Arkansas, a tiny town in Southern Arkansas, a dear dear lady, Virginia Turner Smith, had developed singlehandedly an afterschool program for the town’s children K-6th. No federal funds, no grant money, just a determined Grandmother who wanted all children to have a special place to learn. The program was called Marvelous Mondays…and it still exists today. The concept was simple, invite children to come afterschool to share cookies and Koolaid, Sing a few songs about growing in God, sharing a story in God’s word, and a simple craft to take home. Simple formula, excellent product. In this tiny town of under 600, we served 24-28 children each week, red yellow, black and white, children together gathered in His sight. The way it should be. How was it financed? funded? By folks bringing what they had when we asked and we created crafts and snacks from them. It took planning, but it was a fantastic experience.
When I moved to tiny town, it was my hope to add a summer program to Granny Gin Smith’s Marvelous Monday offerings. We chose Tuesdays and made it Terrific Tuesdays at the Library. Terrific it was! 20-50 children came each week for another simple formula experience of reading to them, sharing with them, helping them find books to expand what was introduced that week, and every now and then a special guest horse, snake, or other specialty item. We had a marvelous time at Terrific Tuesdays too.
Now I am playing in a whole new playing field called internet Television broadcasting. I believe, however the formula is much the same for family programming. Invite folks in, share with them your joy in having their presence, share God’s word and good products and things, and every now and then invite someone special to visit! Maybe this country girl is simple, but wouldn’t you like to come home to Mayberry, or Captain Kangaroo, or Mr. Roger’s neighborhood every now and then? Personally, I would still love to live on Walton’s Mountain or visit often!
How many of us are frozen in “my house isn’t clean enough” or “what would they think about …” or “I only have simple food to share” Hospitality is about getting past ourselves and getting on with welcoming others into our lives and space….let’s reach outside our comfort zone and reach out to others with God’s love shall we?
God is God and we are not! He is good!
