Have you ever had someone you know unexpectedly knock on your door? I’ve always struggled with whether to invite them in or just see if they quickly need something. I want to be hospitable, but sometimes their visit catches me off guard. This usually looks like me trying to hide the leftover breakfast crumbs on the table and the blocks… Read more
This week I took my kids to Target. I can’t remember exactly what we needed, but I do know that we didn’t get everything on our list, because we had to go back a couple of days later. No one really complained about that. At the end of one of our visits, the cashier handed my children toy catalogs to take home.… Read more
I am afraid that the practice of hospitality in our society today is quickly becoming the exception and not the rule. And no wonder, when our lives are filled to the brim and so much of our interaction with our “neighbors” and friends happens online. I’ll be the first to admit that it is often easier to try to check… Read more
Several weeks ago, I sent out an email sharing a few ways I am using my home as a ministry hub in this season of life. It’s not easy to leave my house right now, with three little kids, but God is opening my eyes to the deep, rich possibilities of hospitality and home-centered serving. * Note: If you don’t… Read more
This is a generalization of my own experiences. The older I get, the more I look back and appreciate my country upbringing. There is something undeniably grounding about land, fresh air, old-fashioned values and hard work. Since moving the suburbs of a big city upon getting married in 2009, I’ve often mulled over whether I’m a country-girl or a city-girl at heart.… Read more
True, godly hospitality is not a matter of sharing what we have for our own sake, to impress others or feel important No, true hospitality is sharing what we have for the sake of the other. That means God might call us to open our homes even if they’re not fancy or impressive or perfectly furnished or perfectly clean. It means He might call us to… Read more
With the upcoming holidays, you may have more opportunities to host over-night guests, than normal. As much as it is easy to allow a “guest room” to become a “catch-all room”, putting a little extra thought into preparing a space for guests can help them feel comfortable and welcome. In fact, you can start by picking pieces from the Dreamcloud… Read more
Keeping my home clean has felt overwhelming for years. I look around and see so many areas that need attention, and I’m daunted, so I put it off. Weeks or even months go by until, perhaps we’re having company or hosting a party, and life necessitates the dreaded duty of cleaning. Or perhaps, during one of my bursts of motivation, I… Read more
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