Posted in barbie life
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I am reading the book A Life That Says Welcome by Karen Ehman. Its subtitle is "Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home to Others." It was only a few pages into the book, where I found a quote to latch onto: "When people leave your home, they should be refreshed, not impressed." Wouldn't we all love to have a home that looks like House Beautiful or Country Living? I confess, I have a subscription to Country Living. I don't think I actually am *envious* of those homes, tho' they ARE really, really lovely. I learned somewhere, sometime, that the homes don't always look like they do in the magazines. The magazine brings in more "stuff" to "round out" what the owners already have in the rooms. So the forty-two Christmas trees in the "castle in the Adirondacks" in the December issue? The owners did not decorate all of them. You will also notice the lack of dust on all of the people's "collections" in those mags. Twenty-thousand pairs of salt-and-pepper shakers with nary a dust bunny to be found. This is not natural, people. Some lessons I have learned throughout my lifetime: I don't think I have ever, ever noticed dirty woodwork in any home in which I have been a guest. So, either I am the only one in the entire universe with fingerprints on her woodwork, or, nobody is noticing Mine, either. Don't wait for the Perfect Furniture or Painting the Walls to invite people over. I was in a ladies' Bible study once. At prayer and praise time, a woman asked if we had heard of the two murders up at Lake so-and-so that week. These were two different neighbors of hers. She then told us that the Lord had been impressing her for two years to begin a neighborhood Bible study, but she had told Him, "not until I get new carpeting." That really spoke to me, that hospitality is Not about the house or the nice china or perfect food. Our church homeschool group holds monthly meetings in members' homes. I remember one September meeting, in a very gracious home, with a huge family room, with enough room to seat everyone. The next month was at my house, with my little square living room, where we had to put two rows of folding chairs around the circle. Later, I mentioned to a friend how lovely it would be to have a bigger room, and she told me that (another) friend and she were talking, and decided that, even though the other home was more suited to "hospitality," they actually felt more comfortable in my home. (a very lovely compliment, let me tell you...) Now, don't get me wrong. I love pretty things, and I love to decorate for parties big and small, even if my budget is more modest. I remember growing up in the 50's and 60's. When my mother had company, the Electric Percolator was plugged in, instead of the old, everyday, aluminum coffeepot. When we saw the shiny percolator "perking," we knew we had to wash our faces and hands, and get ready to be "on our best behavior." Even if the company was "drop in," and all Mom had on hand was store-bought cookies, it seemed special to us. There was an air of "expectancy." I wonder if that is how we are to feel, in case we are "entertaining angels unaware?" Wow, there's a thought. Maybe learning hospitality is learning how to be Expectant? I'm sure you have had the experience of thinking a get-together was going to be ordinary, but ended up anything but? Treasured memories can come from unexpected things. I'll share one more story of an unexpected blessing from being willing to share my home and food. My daughter Forget-me-not was at a seven week summer session before her first year of college. She was at the university just seven blocks from our home. We were having a Fourth of July cookout, and we had a family visiting from out of town. As my friend Kay and I were pattying hamburgers for the grill, we were talking so much, that we pattied all eight pounds of burger I had bought on sale that week! We decided that we would be having lots of leftovers! My daughter called and said the university was not serving dinner that night. (What were they thinking?) There was a fast-food place within walking distance, but she wanted to come home and bring her two roommates. We were sitting on the porch a little while later, when three University vans filled with students showed up. Twenty-eight in all. My daughter said, "they heard I was coming to a cookout, and I told them, no problem, my parents won't mind!" Well, there were no leftovers that night, but we had a beautiful time, getting to know the students, many of whom were far from home. We had a great time of worship on the lawn, and the evening was far spent before everyone went home. Little did we know the blessing that the Lord had planned for us. And, of course my Mama-heart was pleased to have been able to take care of so many other Mamas' children. As I write, many more times like these come to mind. Maybe I'm beginning to learn. Hospitality is not about outdoing the Joneses, or I'll-invite-you-because-you-invited-me reciprocating. It's all about the love of God |
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Posted by Anonymous
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