Providing Hospitality Roundup. Books and Resources

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Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
~Hebrews 13:2

 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
~Luke 14:13

Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
~I Peter 1:9

Setting a dining table for hospitality

 

Providing Hospitality is an easy way to bless someone else

My family has spent the last several weeks being treated to dinner and hospitality in several homes. We've fellowshipped and feasted. We've been hosted and entertained. And you know what? It's opened my eyes to the fact that we (meaning my family) doesn't do this enough! And how something that really doesn't take from you but gives so much can also bless others.

Opening your home, getting to know someone, and offering the bounty of your table is lovely way to reach out to someone new or even old friends.

Taking the above scriptures to heart the various new friends have opened their doors to us and made us feel right at home. They've inquired of allergies and tidied their homes for our visit (they freely share this information). It's a beautiful thing.

It's also inspired us to attempt to do the same.

It should be no hard thing to open your doors and offer someone the feast of your table. What could go wrong? Right?

But some of us have a few hang ups holding us back?  Fear of a messy home? Unpalatable meals?  Fear of being imperfect?

Some of our hosts have voiced their uncertainties. They've confided in being unsure how to do this and wondered if they were doing it right. A few have let us know we are the first in many years and are guinea pigs for those to come after us. Then there are the seasoned pros. There is always room for one more and the door is always open. But in both types of homes we have been wonderfully welcomed.

Nervous About Providing Hospitality

How about you?

Are you nervous about having people over? Unsure of your hostessing skills?

You long to do this. You know if you could get over your fears it would be a blessing to other and you would so enjoy it. But those fears are holding you back.

I'm right there with you. It's not easy to open your doors to friends and strangers. In this world of Pinterest and Instagram we fear the need to look like a Pottery Barn spread. And often feel we don't measure up.

But take heart. Your most humble offerings are greatly appreciated.

Turn off the computer and turn on your own creativity instead.

Hospitality Resources

I want to help you with your ministry of Hospitality as I help myself. These are resources I have and am using to be more comfortable opening my doors.

Tips:

 Blog Posts:

 

     

       

         

           

           

          Linking up with…

          8 Comments

          1. Personally, I would rather have people in my home (even though the cleaning and preparing before hand stresses me out) than visit others. I feel more comfortable in my own home (chronic anxiety). Although if I have been to someone else’s home numerous times, I can feel relaxed and welcomed.

          2. Oh… I like this post. My hang up with hospitality is this: I need MY HOME to be a safe haven. It’s a Strong need that I have. I’ve had people come over and be angry with me and it leaves me feeling unsettled in my own home for days. It just puts a kibosh on it for me. I’ll have friends with their kids over and that’s fun and light and easy. But I’ve learned to be careful with others. I do need to get past that. Because God’s got my back and he’ll get me through whatever he asks of me you know? 🙂

            1. Thank you Annette!Yes God’s got your back. My daughter and I have taken to praying before visit and before having people over. Helps quite a bit!

          3. This is a subject near and dear to my heart. I love your thoughts and ideas and look forward to checking into a couple of those resources a bit more.

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