The cleaning thing is a huge motivator. I've try to schedule stuff close
together sometimes just so I clean once for multiple events.
I went to a ladies day that had a break out session on hospitality. Our
young pastor's wife spoke. She was great! The thing that day that
encouraged me was, "Try to shoot for "not disgusting"." I've found that
very helpful. Dusty is ok. Cluttered is ok. That's where we all live and
it's more about the people you are with than killing yourself for an
absolutely perfect house.
Jen Wilkin has some good stuff to say about this kind of stuff on her 1,2,
3 John Podcasts. She differentiates between hospitality and entertaining.
On Sat, Oct 13, 2018 at 6:25 PM Pamela Smith <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I haven't read it yet, but should. I really want to read "Just Open the
Door" by Jen Schmidt. I follow her on Instagram and really like her relaxed
style of hospitality. You all know I'm not fancy at all, and I have lowered
my standards to an embarrassing low at times. :) We do a lot in the summer
outside because we have a large area to gather out there. As an introvert,
I see it as opening our place where others can gather and connect. When I
think of it that way, I don't feel pressed to "entertain" when we have
people over. So, I tend to do large groups (like 30-40), but not everyone
is comfortable with that type of group, so then we do single families who
like smaller groups here and there. I'm grateful that our home is bigger,
so we are able to do that. For me, I'm trying to do at least 1-2
times/month. I've gotten to know my PTA friends over the years, so I think
we'll be able to invite them over for a meal soon and it won't feel weird.
I am looking forward to having more Gospel-focused opportunities. I do
like having others over the for the push to clean up for everyone! ;)\
Pam
On Saturday, October 13, 2018, 6:02:26 PM CDT, Carrie Hub <
carriehub060300@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
It is on hospitality. They do it to a huge degree.
If any of you pick it up, I'd love your thoughts. Feeling challenged for
sure. Not sure what God would have it look like in our family (my life).
Read last night that the pastor who first shared Christ (and hospitality)
with was discipled by Billy Graham and the man who began the Navigators.
Renee, I totally understand the quandary with hospitality and family. And
I have no answers. :( Thankfully, for the most part, everyone in the family
likes to have people over for meals. Seth really struggles if there are too
many people. I tend to look for singles. We have a small house, and we all
really like/enjoy single people. We can house singles without too much
trouble, but it's hard with more. Brian's talking about buying an older
home with lots of space after he retires to remodel. I can see us trying to
house people then a lot.
Last year, God really worked on me being willing to say "yes" to Brian any
time he wanted to bring someone home (no matter how crazy or short notice).
It's been a good change. I'm learning to let go of things (how clean the
house is, how fancy the food is, etc.). Not perfect yet, but seeing
improvement in how stressed I get. That give up control thing is pretty
tough.
On Fri, Oct 12, 2018 at 10:41 PM Renee O'Leske <larsen.renee@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Carrie, based on her talks and the title, I am assuming the book is about
hospitality. Is that correct?
The church we are attending had an interesting sermon on hospitality that
I thought was good & interesting... maybe more on that later. It caused
some discussion for me and Craig and my family afterwards.
You know, I LOVED practicing hospitality as a single person. I had the
privilege of seeing it modeled sooo well by many many people in my life
(including many of you & your families as I have had the privilege of
visiting many of you!), and I loved being able to practice what I saw and
experienced from other believers. I struggle to know how to practice it
with a family as I would then be asking them to sacrifice a lot (it's not
just my money, my house, my things to give away for others to use... nor my
space to make vulnerable to any issues the guests may bring with them -
whether sinful, emotional, physical, etc...) Any advice? :)
One of my very good friends mentioned to me how she sees most of
discipleship happening through hospitality (inviting people into your
life). I agreed. She and her husband are actually in the middle of
remodeling their very old home so that they can practice hospitality more.
Anywho... some things I have been thinking about. I know Dr Butterfield
mentions hospitality in her talks and I liked what she said. But
hospitality is a big sacrifice... to truly welcome people, you have to
work hard PLUS give up a lot of control.
PS. I am truly in awe of how you all have welcomed me into your homes with
children and husbands and ministry, etc... Thank you so much! You blessed
my life so richly. The fellowship and the time with you was so refreshing.
On Fri, Oct 12, 2018 at 8:25 PM Renee O'Leske <larsen.renee@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
I meant yes, I heard of her. Sorry didn't read your question correctly.
I have not yet read her books.
On Fri, Oct 12, 2018, 8:23 PM Renee O'Leske <larsen.renee@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Yes! She is one I found on YouTube. Really like her insights & would like
to read her books.
On Fri, Oct 12, 2018, 10:48 AM Elizabeth Lovelace <
dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I read her first book that you mention but not the second.
On Friday, October 12, 2018, 7:16:24 AM CDT, Carrie Hub <
carriehub060300@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Have any of you read Rosaria Butterfield? I read her* Secret Thoughts of
an Unlikely Convert* a couple of years ago. Now I am reading *The Gospel
Comes with a House Key.* I am enjoying it, but it is a lot to process.
God is definitely using it to show me selfishness in my own life. I think
she has a good grip on what it means to "die to self" and to "take up her
cross." I guess I am struggling with what that should look like in my own
life.
Just wanted to see if any of you had any thoughts.