Sonny & Betty Litwiller- A Living Example of Hospitality
I remember that house, that was many people’s home.
I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who used their house as a place of ministry better than Sonny & Betty Litwiller. You were welcome to move in and make yourself at home. And they never expected a dime, just a good conversation now and again when you passed through. The only thing they wouldn’t put up with was not becoming a part of the family.
I remember the food.
Betty made sure that anyone who visited her home, or who lived there for that matter was well fed. I didn’t know you could fry a pumpkin blossom till I met Betty. But she insisted I give it a try. I hadn’t heard of peach cream pie either, but it was one Betty always loved to make. She was never short on teapots, which we used to throw a tea party for her granddaughters along with fancy hats and food. And of course one of my strongest memories is making apple butter around the kettle in their garage. While you ate a hot dog or visited with friends they would stir up something you weren’t soon to forget. And of course everyone got some to take home.
I remember laughter. Chances are you too remember a funny story about Betty.
While I was living with the Litwiller’s my husband Jeremy asked me to marry him. So he got to join the family too. Betty of course hosted a shower for me in that same house I had grown to love. And then her and Sonny traveled to our wedding. I still giggle thinking about the mishap she had. Somehow she dropped her camera in the toilet. She never could revive her camera, and boy was she disappointed to loose those pictures. And of course they had to wrap up the “gag” gift that had been rotating around their friend group and give it to us as a wedding gift. Weren’t we lucky!
Her and Sonny were never short on their practical joking. Sonny had this rubber alligator he used to hide all over to be ornery to me. I’d find it in my bed, swinging from the door, or stuck in one of my drawers. I hadn’t forgotten the alligator. When Sonny passed away Betty packaged it up and sent it to me. I’m not sure I’ve laughed more when opening a package. Betty was thoughtful like that. Sharing fun memories, even as she grieved her loss so deeply.
Every time my kids have played with it I’ve thought of them. My kids know to be gentle with it because it belonged to someone mommy loved. Just a few weeks ago I was telling Jeremy I wanted to send it back to Betty. Her tone had sounded much sadder than usual in her Christmas card. I knew she was missing Sonny. What a joy it is to think of them together. No doubt enjoying sweet laughter again.
Many of you got to experience a lifetime of memories with Betty. Even though I only lived with the Litwiller’s for about six months it seemed like much longer. My husband and I often dream of a house in the future chosen with intentionality. Not so we can have lots of space or store lots of things. But a place where we can live out the type of service we saw modeled in Sonny & Betty. That desire has taken root in our lives and it was planted as a seed when I saw it lived out in Betty. Her genuine hospitality left a lasting impression on my life, and I’d venture to guess the lives of many others who stayed with them over the years.
1 Peter 4:8-10 says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
I have never met anyone who was a living breathing example of that scripture more than Betty Litwiller.
Webster defines hospitality as generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests.
That was Betty. Generous. Friendly. Keeper of a house where guests were always welcome.
And I’m planning on staying in her “basement” again someday because I have no doubt the Lord had a special place prepared for her because of the hope she had in Him. I can’t wait to visit, and I might just bring my alligator!
