Hospitality

Romans 12:13b - Always be eager to practice hospitality.

It's hard when the house is dirty and clothes are strewn about and the dishes have piled up and the trash needs to be taken out and the toilet needs to be cleaned and there's toothpaste oozed out onto the counter and the fridge and pantry are bare to want to invite people over. (I mean...I'm just guessing that's how other people's homes look...ahem...)

Grace Covers Me is a fantastic blog and Christine has started a link-up on the topic of hospitality! As a pastor's wife, I feel it's especially important for me to have an open door policy. But regardless of your job, or anything, we see from Romans a command to always be EAGER to practice hospitality. Does this mean that you just let people come over whenever they want unannounced? Heaven's to Betsy no! It does mean though that we be willing and happy to invite people in to see our house at it's finest when you've got it decked out for a party - and when life has just happened. You know, when you have a load of laundry just begging to be folded but you didn't get to it because playing with your child was more important, or when there's dishes in the sink because watching TV with the hubs was more important last night. It's hard for me to let people see the real us, but if we cry for transparency and honesty from others, shouldn't I be willing to be transparent with my living space?

Everyone is different, which is why the link-up. It's a fun way to see what everyone is doing, take tips and tricks, and then make your own opportunities. I hope you enjoy my ideas!

*Invite a couple from your church over for Brinner (breakfast for dinner) after evening service - it's a great way to get to know people a little better that you normally don't have time to have long conversations with

*Cookie decorating party while watching a Christmas movie or chickflick

*Open up your home for a Bible Study

*Every year, Andy and I try to have 3 traditional parties where we invite anyone and everyone and whoever shows is great: 

1. Fourth of July cookout
2. BYOP (Bring your own pumpkin) Fall party 
3. Oscar watch party (this year we even got fancy and wrapped the hot dogs (Fancy I tell you!!) in tissue paper so they looked like little tuxedos :)

*Don't be afraid to take someone up when they offer to bring something when they come over - nothing says you have to spend all the money in order to show hospitality. People like contributing! Sodas, dessert, and paper plates/napkins are always good go-to items to let someone bring if they offer

*Food doesn't have to be elaborate - it truly is the thought that counts!

*If you need to do a quick pick-up before people come over, don't stress about everything. Just toss the major items in a room where you can close the door. Keep swiffers handy and swiffer the most important places and don't worry about the nooks and crannies. 

*The quickest way to make someone feel the house is clean, even if there's miscellaneous items around, is to vaccuum... again, don't vacuum every space, just the open spaces.