Hospitality is a habit. Once out of it, it seems a bit hard to restart sometimes. Since my husband is unemployed, and money is getting pretty tight, it seems impossible. But it is not. You know the old saying, "Where there's a will, there's a way!"
We've enjoyed good fellowship with a pot of beans and some cornbread before. ~smile~ In fact, once, we invited friends over to "break bread", and we did. I baked a few loaves of bread, set out butter, homemade jam, and we dug in and broke bread together!
You've got to think creatively.
You've got to do things a bit differently.
You've got to focus on the people not the stuff.
Hospitality is sharing what you have while extending a friendly smile, a listening ear, and the love of Christ.
Be blessed!
ஐღLauraღஐ
...doing what I can with what I've got where I am
on a short shoestring budget!
~~~~~
You are so right. Even just to sit and enjoy a cup of tea and some conversation is good.
ReplyDeleteyes ma'am...what a lovely post...how I understand what your saying...many Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteNice post and I agree.....things don't have to be expensive to be fun and worth doing. Yesterday I took 15 of my knitted washcloths to a good friend of ours to share with her three grown daughters. As the weather has been bad and I don't do well with that, while tucked in I keep my hands busy knitting and am trying to use yarn stash to do so. They were very happy to get those cloths and I was happy to give them to them. While out on the road, the cell rang and it was a local thrift shop that I have frequented for years...they called to offer me two very large bags of linens they were going to discard....some vintage, some frayed towels for animal care, some blankets...all much appreciated here with the chores we have need of with the farm animals....all free. I have found the more one gives, it returns back sometimes immediately! Have a good day Laura....xo Trudy
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week ending Linda!
ReplyDeleteThat's true Trudy. You cannot outgive God!
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle. I live so far from everyone, I always feel like I need to provide a meal. I need to remember that's not always true.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
Laura
I love it. Hospitality is so much more than "entertaining". The fellowship, showing Christ to others, laughing, and etc....treasures of memories are made.
ReplyDeleteI remember a long time ago I had invited a couple from the church to eat with us. They were a young couple with no children. But there were in ministry so I wanted it to be nice. When the time got closer to our date we were so low in funds. I was so stressed. I had planned a big dinner, dessert, and even a tablescape. Needless to say it didn't pan that way. I prayed before I pulled up to Save-A-Lot, and I got deals on Taco ingredients, sales on pudding, chocolate cookies, and cool-whips. I came home made Taco-Layers after I scoured the recipes so it wouldn't be plain taco's, I made pudding, crushed the cookies and mixed them in and topped with cool-whip.
They loved it. I skipped the tablescape, turned on some Christian music, lit a candle, and had table set up with food. It was wonderful. We laughed, talked, shared our hearts, and played a game. I spent very little and the clean up was so easy. This taught me to that Simple is just as nice.
I just read this again. It was a great reminder!
DeleteSo beautifully said, and it's so true. It's about the fellowship...that's what counts. Keeping your husband's job situation in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI loved your guess on my "What is it?" post, it gave me a chuckle. Have a great evening, Kelly.
I love your dear, sweet heart, Laura. You are a blessing to us all! May God bless and supply your every need. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDelete"Hospitality is sharing what you have while extending a friendly smile, a listening ear, and the love of Christ."
Such wise words you have shared here. Thank you for this sweet reminder that not only blesses those who we are being hospitable to, but us as well.
Blessings.
How sweet you are Karen!
ReplyDeleteDear Mrs. Chrissy T,
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what hospitality is all about! I think that's great. The times that I make it the simplest are the times I enjoy the most!
God bless!
Laura
I think you did a great job describing hospitality. We enjoy opening our home to others, and hope they always feel blessed when they leave.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you Mary Ann!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
Laura
Amen!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so true Laura...
P.S. I love the new look of your blog :)
Thanks so much, Jes. I was looking for something springy, but each time I changed it, I just said, "This is not my blog." ~smile~
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try your oatmeal muffin mix this week. I love the simplicity of the ingredients.
Be blessed!
Laura
What a great reminder! I often fall into the thinking that I need to not only provide a meal but a meal that we often can't even afford. I love the reminder that just opening up our homes can be a blessing to others.
ReplyDeleteI love this! My husband and I really enjoy having people over for dinner but it can get so expensive. Thank you for the reminder that hospitality is so much more than just food. It's a ministry and an opportunity to fellowship in Christ.
ReplyDeleteSo encouraging and convicting, Laura! Hospitality definitely is a habit that we need to continue engaging in if we want to keep at it! Once you are out of the habit it is so much harder to get back into it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! In other parts of the world, Christians offer hospitality with what they HAVE - whether it's a cup of coffee and a store bought cookie, or a full meal. I love your "breaking bread" idea : )
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for talking back Anna, Ana and Bree! You've made good points. Be blessed!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Laura! Thank you for sharing and for the ideas about creative ways to show hospitality! #OverTheMoon
ReplyDeleteYou're sweet, Regina, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is so good. I've always talked about being more hospitable, having friends over, etc. Up until the last couple years, I've said, "someday when we have more money..." Well, we've been in a very nice financial situation for over two years now and have I had people over? Hmm...do I have to answer that? It's truly not what we have to offer materially, but what we can give of ourselves. Thanks for the encouraging reminder!
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts! I'm working on cultivating this habit. I'm a total introvert, so the thought of hosting people in my home gives me real anxiety. It's something that the Lord has been working on me to overcome.
ReplyDeleteCameron
www.surrenderedmom.com
You're welcome Mrs. Sarah.
ReplyDeleteCameron, I understand about being an introvert. I really am working on being more of an extrovert myself.
Thank you for your prayers Kelly. It means so much!
ReplyDeleteI know God will make a way for us.
Be blessed,
Laura
We always eat dinner together as a family, no matter what, I think it is really important
ReplyDeletemollyxxx
You are so right Molly. We try to do that, too. It works most nights.
ReplyDeleteWe love entertaining and gathering with friends at any of our houses. We all share in the bringing of food.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at SYC.
I love that you literally broke bread! I'm sure it was delicious. Both the bread and jam homemade, how could it not be? I believe that it is important for us to serve others no matter our situation. I know that we are truly blessed when we do! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
It was fun, Jann. Sometimes you have to think outside the box!
ReplyDeleteSo, so true! Breaking Bread (homemade style) sounds wonderful! Yum! What a great idea! :)
ReplyDeleteFun and frugal Katy!
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