Do these scenarios make your heart race like they make mine?
An unexpected visitor drops in. You don’t want to open the door too wide and reveal the mess inside your home…
Part of you wants to host, but the other part of you is afraid of what people will think of you and your house…
When you finally muster up the courage to invite that new couple from church to dinner, you spend the whole evening feeling anxious. You want the main dish to be delicious, alongside three perfectly complementary sides, and of course a flawless dessert. You’re scrambling around like you’re trying to pass some sort of dinner party inspection. And by the end of the night, it seems like everyone had a good time…except you.
Sound familiar? If the answer is yes, then maybe the true meaning of hospitality is lost.
In this article, we’re going to rediscover that true meaning so we can feel peace when opening our homes.
This mindset makes hospitality feel hard
If it feels like we’re inviting people into a hotbox rather than a home, then something needs to change. Sure, maybe there are some practical items that need tending to, like tidying the mess or making a meal plan. But to really relieve the pressure, we need a change in mindset and a clearer understanding of the goal.
Hospitality involves presence rather than perfection.
Beautiful tablescapes and delicious recipes are a dime a dozen on Pinterest. And I’m first in line to scroll for inspiration, but it’s just that—inspiration, not a standard.
Your guests aren’t asking for a picture-perfect-Pinterest experience. They’re coming for connection. They want to grow meaningful relationships. And let’s think about it, which strengthens a relationship more: inviting people into a perfectly curated house that would make Martha Stewart blush with pride, or inviting people into a lived-in home that shows visible signs of a family still growing and learning together?
The Real Reason for Hospitality is Connection
Enjoy the hosting inspiration you find online and in books or magazines. Let it encourage you to open your home, but don’t let it distract you from what matters most. Use hospitality as a tool to grow closer to your Christian family as you work toward the heavenly home together.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy reading this one about finding community. And don’t forget to comment below and let me know if you enjoyed this one!
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