Every once in a while,I discover an author that I really enjoy.  It might be their sense of writing style, or perhaps the depthness of a given subject I glean wisdom from.  A book I recently read about becoming more organized, I came across an author that I truly enjoyed.     Her name is Karen Ehman - and after reading my first book by her, I thought I would look at what else she has written.  I ordered, A Life That Says Welcome, and subtitled, Simple Ways To Open Your Heart & Home to Others.

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I liked the book cover right from the start.  An open  window frame painted a soft green - the exact color that I've decorated in several of rooms in my home, with brightly colored fuscia flowers in the center of the open window.  The book cover itself, said to me, "Welcome."  

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It was one of those books that is easy to read, and serves as a good reminder to open our homes and our hearts to others.  Providing hospitality is not a natural for me - but rather - it is something I prayed that God would help me with.    He continually provides grace in this area.

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What I got most out of this book was the reminder that our home need not be perfect in which to invite guests.  "Reasonably Clean and Clutter Free,"  was a commonly repeated phrase I read in this book.  It makes having guests over for dinner (or the weekend) with this goal in mind, rather than aiming at perfection.  Perfection would render hospitality to big of a job for me to handle, at this season in my life - four children at home, and  homeschooling.   Reasonably clean and clutter free is a task I can handle - or at least - most of the time.