But most of the time when I wanted to get on here I couldn't and when I couldn't the words just weren't here.
And today's JAM with Bonnie from the Faith Barista wasn't one I was sure I'd have something to say about but at the same time I really wanted to get Jamming again with her so here goes....
One of the things I loved from her post on Hospitality is this:
"...when it comes to practicing hospitality, yours doesn’t have to look anything like mine—or Lynn’s.
Your hospitality shouldn’t look like anyone else’s. Hospitality really means loving others with your life."
What a great way to look at it.
I often try to open my home up, but I'm not much of a cook myself. It's not that I can't cook I just really don't like to. It takes time and I often just tend to worry if it's going to turn out right.
I've cooked several times for my kids... some college age kids that have gone on mission trips with us.
While their homes are 2 hours or more away this past year they ended up going to college just 30 minutes away from where I live.
I told them when they enrolled they were always welcome in my home.
No matter what.
They are after all "my kids".
There are times when they are there that I try cooking, everytime I've done it it's actually turned out thankfully but there are other times when I just buy several frozen pizzas (they are boys who eat ALOT) grab a bag salad, some icecream or brownies and there's dinner.
They never seem to care what we eat. We visit for a while and watch a movie unless someone has to be back for a cerfew.
We often end up watching a Twilight movie! Crazy right! But I always let the kids pick and they boys for some strange reason want to watch those!
Through hosting them the last year I've even had ones that are going to college 2hrs away come the same nights as the others or the kid that's intering at her church for these first few years instead of going to college.
Each time they come I always tell them they are welcome to bring anyone they want, just let me know how many so I'm sure to have enough food.
I've had kids I've never met before in my home and we still always have a good time.
And often they end up "friending" me on Facebook the next day.
I find that for me the hospitality isn't about opening my home up to them or cooking and making sure the house is clean but is making room and welcoming them in my heart.
Keeping the connections going, checking on them randomly either in Facebook, Texting or some other way.
It's letting them know I care. After all we all need to be cared for, even if it's just in some small way.
So I've been MIA here on the blog lately, and I've missed it a lot sometimes.
4 comments:
Letting others know you care....so true!
You are so right. IT's not our abilities or circumstances, but our hearts that make us hospitible. I recently moved back home after graduating college last year. Entertaining in my own place is a dream, but until then I will have to be creative in opening my heart to others. I've loved reading how you have opened up your home to your "kids". Good Stuff :)
Both of my daughter found true love after 30 - - and married. Honestly they waited, because they wanted to be sure and to find someone who was a responsible Christian person.
Then I have friends who have remained single because they felt they did not need to ask permission to minister for the Lord. They were free to live as God directed them. You are right in saying that loving and listening is being a good hostess.
I totally, totally agree with you, Leanna! I used to do youth ministry -- and now that I'm a mom, I still feel the same way. Having been single up into my 30's really helped solidify my confidence in this area: of enjoying having people over, just to have them over and not the hostess with the mostess stuff. ;)
When it comes down to it, people really don't care what we're serving up for them food-wise, they are there because heart-wise, we are giving them space to just be together. Now, THAT is something you can't buy! :)
Post a Comment