Pineapples
Pineapples is not really the kind of headline you would expect on Ash Wednesday, but for me it gets to the heart of what Lent means this year.
Pineapples are the international symbol of hospitality - they have long been a sign of welcome in homes, schools, businesses and communities. if you ever have a little time, look around your own community to see if there are pineapples embedded in wood or stone above front doors, or in lobbies or offices. If ever there was a place where this was true, it is Hawaii. Pineapples grow there, but they are an integral part of the culture - finding their way into art, music, décor, food, clothing and just about everything. I happen to love pineapples - not just to eat, but they are such a happy way to offer hospitality to others.
I have been in Hawaii, on Maui for the past couple weeks visiting my daughter Amy. She lives here and works as a nurse in the ICU at the hospital. She and her co-workers have had a really tough year - like all health care workers. Long hours, very sick people, losing patients, worrying about their own exposure and not having all the supplies they need to do their best work. It was time for me to come and be with her for just a bit to remind her she’s dearly loved.
I was moved by so many things this visit. This island - a destination for so many has changed in every way because of the pandemic. Beaches, shopping, hotels, events, restaurants - all have been modified and those changes have taken a toll on the people, economy but not the spirit!
The culture of hospitality can’t be shaken by too much. It is something that gets into your soul and becomes part of you. You can’t help but be welcoming.
The pineapple represents this culture of hospitality - the kind that “just is.” Offered to a weary traveler, a neighbor, friend or family member- this kind of hospitality is born of a love for people. It’s the kind that we Christians are called to offer too. It should be a natural part of ourselves - always looking for ways to acknowledge others and treat them with kindness.
A final story.
One night during my trip, we happened to be having dinner outside at a local place when I noticed a man at a table near us who looked ill. I turned to Amy and told her. Before I could finish, she was at his side, asking questions of those with him, taking his pulse and assessing. She was calm, kind, and had everyone doing something in a matter of minutes. She had someone help her get him to the ground, someone call an ambulance, another get him water and tell the waitstaff. All the while, she was speaking so gently to the man. He wasn’t breathing at one point and she firmly asked help in turning him on his side - and finally, he started to breathe. She continued to talk with him until the ambulance arrived. when he was settled - she cleaned up a bit and came back to finish dinner.
I know she does this every day, but to see her in action made me cry. She offered her gifts one of which was hospitality in it’s purest sense. Hospital - a place of care is the root word in hospitality. She demonstrated that we offer this to others - mind, body and spirit. Hospitality is rich, abundant, beautiful, healing and leaves us all feeling loved.
This Lent - I am going to keep a pineapple where I can see it - to remind me that the most I can do during this season is to work on my heart - to let the scriptures and the season shape it into a heart that gives and loves more. I want to be challenged in where and when I offer welcome - and to always say yes to opportunities to do that - mind, body and spirit. I encourage you to post a little pineapple in your space this Lent. God will place all sorts of opportunities to offer hospitality in your path - and those will radically change your heart. That’s what Lent is all about.
Aloha,
Jane
