The book, Open Hearts, Open Homes by Karen Mains was what first opened my eyes to fact that true hospitality is not about the HOSTESS…how nice her meal is, how perfect her table setting is, how lovely her home. It is about the GUESTS…are they being served, are they comfortable, do they feel a part of your home?
That book was given to me by a woman who taught me even more about hospitality from her every day life. She was a homeschooling mom with four children. Besides the children, she had chickens and goats to tend to. Her freezer was always stocked with something she could throw together to make a quick meal for drop-in guests. Her guest room was always ready for overnight company. In fact, at their front door was a guest book and pen where each person who dropped by their home was invited to sign and leave a note for the family.
However, hospitality in their home didn’t always mean idle chit-chats on the couch. She once told me she did not mind drop-ins if they didn’t mind following her around while she worked. If she was prepared for a guest, then she could afford to sit the entire time. If they came unannounced, she was thankful for their presence, but wanted them to understand that her conversation would be peppered with chores.
Another person I learned a lot about hospitality from NEVER made excuses for her messy home. She simply moved a pile off the couch for you and one for her and looked you in the eye and listened. She never failed to be able to rustle up some grub for her crew of 7 plus whoever showed up at her door. She once told me that if she was going to have to cook for 7, she might as well cook for 10 or 12. As a mom now cooking for 7 myself, I can say I wholeheartedly concur. It really is no big deal to add a few extra mouths.
So, that, my friends, is true hospitality…
Heart2Heart says
Amy,
Oh I completely agree with every part of this post! Who doesn’t want people to feel free to drop by and feel welcome instead of feeling like they are intruding on your time.
Life is too short, we need to make the most of what we have.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Autumn Beck says
I **LOVE** to open up my home to people! I agree, what’s a few more mouths to cook for? We have families over at least once a month. Our whole family loves it.
I am blessed! says
I agree with everything you said and want to add that the mode of hospitality depends on your guests. When I was first married I liked to use my china, but we’ve been in a wonderful church for the last 10 years that isn’t a good fit with china and crystal. You’re right that the goal is to show the love of Christ to your guests so thinking about their comfort takes center stage. Also, my friends know that if I have to have a house empty of children to open in to my friends, it will NEVER happen. So even if we’re in the middle of Bible study, my friends are very understanding of the occasional interruptions that come with being a mom to 5. Thanks for your post- we all need to exercise more hospitality!
Deedee says
I really LOVE that book! I have read it several times and tend to re-read it every couple of years to remind myself of what I should already know. *blush*
I do find it difficult though when I love to have people around anytime of the week and I’m married to a man with OCD who has a complete meltdown at finding out that anyone came around when the house was less than ‘perfect’. Challenging to say the least – trying to honour him and still practice hospitality. Thanks for sharing – Deedee
Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife says
I have redefined it as well. My meal for a large gathering of children is a simple casserole like Chicken Pot Pie, a veggie, and some type of easy dessert. We have some really good friends that come over, so between the two families there are 15 of us. Who’s ever house we are at, they provide the meal and the one invited over brings the dessert. Then we switch next time. It works so great for us and then we get to see each other because no one is overwhelmed!
abba12 says
That’s very helpful, and makes a lot of sence.
What little my mum did teach me about hospitality involved an immaculate house, the key reason I still haven’t had anyone much over
Do you have an email address I could contact you on? I can’t find one on your site or profile anywhere heh 🙂
Angela says
It is REALLY hard for me to be okay with having guests in my house if at least the main level doesn’t look neat and clean. Maybe I need to read that book! 🙂
Cheri' says
Amy, I am new to your blog and I’m thoroughly enjoying it! I’m doing the creative writing course, but started a while after you first posted it and am trying to catch up.
I just want to say I love this post. I read Karen’s book many years ago when my children were little, and it greatly helped me in opening my home to the campus students we were reaching at that time. Though we use our home for hospitality, I have a deep desire to grow more in this area. Your post was both a confirmation of what God has been talking to me about and an inspiration to me as well. Thanks for being an example in this area!
Mainstay Ministries says
I always welcome every neighbor in our community to visit us. I feel great spending with them at home sharing food and other stuff.
Mrs. Carrington says
Thank you so much for this post! My husband and I have felt the Lord calling us to be much more intentional in our hospitality as a way to share the Gospel with a needy world. We have been so blessed to watch the Holy Spirit work not just as he and I share, but the interaction between guests was more than we ever could have orchestrated. The Lord has only blessed us with 2 children so far (for which we are extremely grateful) but we are currently becoming approved to adopt as well. Many of the families that we know are large families so reading your encouraging remarks was very helpful. May God continue to richly bless you and I will definitely be adding you to my blogroll. Come by and visit sometime!
Victoria