Y’all have been so patient.
I know you were thinking that surely a series on hospitality would be full of recipes, model guest bedrooms and perfect table settings.
It’s coming. Hang on!
I started this series where all true hospitality begins—-in our hearts.
And before I move on to all the fun stuff, I want to pause to consider why any of it matters.
Why should I make room for others?
Why should I perfect a few recipes?
Why should I put some thought and effort into what goes into my guest bedroom?
What’s the point?
The point is to serve others.
That and only that should be my guiding principle.
So yes, we’ll talk about kitchen and pantry organization. But not for the sake of perfectly aligned spices. Only as it helps to serve our family and neighbors.
We’ll talk about cooking and why it’s important to learn basic kitchen skills—but not so we can boast of being gourmet chefs.
We’ll do those things that help us feed and serve our families and friends.
It’s so easy to become obsessed with the perfect home, the most organized playroom, an heirloom tea set.
But what is our motive?
Are we spending our time and energy and money to impress others? Or to serve them?
We become slaves to our stuff instead of using it as a tool to serve those we love.
So, we won’t encourage perfection. We will encourage service.
And, as the topics become more visual and practical, don’t forget the goal:
To use our resources of time and treasure to love and serve our neighbors.
It’s just that simple. And just that impossible.
Join me in the beautiful and crazy paradox!
Well Edie, I have he honor to be first to say thank you. You are so inspiring. I name drop you when I have the chance. I had one of those jewelry parties on the weekend and got to be a hostess. Things went pretty well. Served a cranberry vodka punch, white wine, cokes, grapes, cheeses, Ritz crackers, butter with some rosemary infused, olives, potato chips, dip, homemade cookies. I made centerpiece with silk autumn arrangement from Tuesday Morning; $15 bucks and looked like PB. Thanks again 🙂
Beautifully written, as always and oh-so-true!
Edie, thank you. This series has been an honest to goodness answer to prayer. I have been talking to God about this. About the heart of hospitality. Seeking to understand how this can be an overflow because it is not a natural gift of mine. Your focus on motivation and giving from a whole-enough in Jesus place has made me much more excited about what comes next. Because what comes next is authentic and an actual lived out expression of delighted service, having spent time in the presence of Jesus. So thank you. I am greatly appreciative….and your style just sings of joy and love.
I’m thankful you started with the heart. That’s were I need the most work and you probably have no idea how encouraging you are when you deal with spiritual matters but you’ve made a big impact on me.
(I’m also reading books I never, ever would have even considered reading a couple of years ago! Thank you!)
I echo the above voices with Thanks for this. You have begun to make me think more with my heart & less with my mind. How might I serve others? Be bold to step outside my comfort zone & reach out to those who are hurting. Be unafraid to tear down my walls & let others (especially family) see my flaws. This is most hard for me, but most what I need. Thank you!
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Perfect! Striving to bless, not impress, a favorite mantra around here. Kind of a litmus test if I am feeling tempted by something crazy. “What are my motives?” LOL
And you ring another bell… remember your post about fitness recently? Another solid reminder to not become a slave to any of this stuff in life… but rather let it serve us. (The paraphernalia of hostessing, for example.) Thanks Edie!! (Now give us a new recipe! LOL xoxo)
sometimes the fuss is not to impress but to say to our loved ones…i love you and i think you are special and here, i set the table with love and care just for you. but the balance is hard isn’t it…the balance of stuff and pride and grace and love….for me it is.
Edie. Excellent post. I have enjoyed following along. I know that nothing gives me a feeling of welcoming guests into my home better then feeding them well. It might not be perfect, but I know I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent planning and preparing and the icing on the cake is enjoying a wonderful meal, or even just a snack that I have prepared with family and friends!
LOVE this series!!! This post reminds me of Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
yes…it’s all for our service to others…
I pray often that I don’t fall into the trap of begin enslaved to my stuff.
our sewage explosion back in 2006 sure helped me get over my love of it..seeing it literally float in the city’s poop will do that for you! 🙂
But still, there is a fine balance between enjoying making our homes beautiful and making sure we’re doing it for the soul purpose to bless those who enter.
Hi,
I have noticed that many of the people I know are very lonely, yet never invite anyone over. They are working full-time, raising kids, and exhausted by the weekend. Having someone over means cleaning the house and menu planning for someone they do not know very well. I love to set a beautiful table and plan wonderful meals, but I tend to intimidate others by this. They feel they can never live up to this and makes them feel like a failure. So my question is How do you know when to go all out and when to just be real simple? My goal is for others to feel welcome and comfortable in my home. Unfortunately, just having a clean house intimidates some of my friends and they never invite anyone over.