A New Year, Hospitality, and Salt

Hey Beloved,

Happy New Year!

As we step into 2025, I hope this message finds you reflecting on the year behind us and dreaming about what’s ahead. For me, this season is always a mix of gratitude and anticipation—a chance to celebrate the wins, learn from the challenges, and lean into what God has planned next.

Recently, I was revisiting the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus uses a powerful metaphor to describe the role of His followers:

“You are the salt of the earth.” (Matt 5:13)

Perhaps because I’m on this journey to understand what it means to live, work, and lead with a posture of hospitality, this affirmation struck me in a different way.

It has once again reshaped how I think about hospitality.

Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality, says we should regularly redefine what hospitality means to us. It’s not a static concept—it’s alive and evolves as we grow.

As we close the chapter on 2024 and step into a new year, I want to share how these two ideas—salt and hospitality—have intertwined for me.

Ok, let’s get into it.

Salt has two primary purposes: to enhance and to preserve.

Hospitality enhances the relationships we have with others. It’s the ingredient that takes an interaction—whether with a customer, team member, or neighbor—and makes it rich, vibrant, and memorable. It’s the thoughtful gesture, the kind word, or the small act of care that turns ordinary moments into extraordinary ones.

Hospitality also preserves. It’s what makes relationships lasting. Just as salt keeps food from spoiling, hospitality fosters trust, loyalty, and connection—the kind that stands the test of time.

Here’s the beauty of it, though: salt isn’t flashy.

It doesn’t draw attention to itself. Its purpose is to bring out the best in what it touches.

Hospitality works the same way.

Genuine hospitality doesn’t make itself the star of the show. Instead, it creates space for others to feel valued, seen, and welcome. It helps others shine.

I believe this kind of hospitality will be more important than ever—not just in how we serve, but in how we lead, work, and build relationships.

So this year, let’s embrace the challenge of being the salt—not just in the moments that come naturally, but in the ones that require extra care and intention.

Let’s look for the overlooked, the mundane, and even the difficult touchpoints, and see them as opportunities to bring out the best in others.

Hospitality isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. It’s about showing up with purpose, enhancing the moments that matter, and preserving the connections that make life rich and meaningful.

Here’s to a year where we don’t just talk about hospitality—we live it, shaping the places we lead, work, and serve with intentionality and grace.

Appreciate you all!

Nathan

P.S. Speaking of Unreasonable Hospitality…earlier in December, I became a Certified Unreasonable Hospitality Coach. Using Guidara’s framework to help leaders and businesses create unforgettable experiences, I’m excited to share how hospitality can transform your relationships and impact.

Stay tuned for next week, where I’ll dive deeper into how you can begin to put this hospitality into practice!