tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post4110398361231186872..comments2024-02-11T10:58:23.271-08:00Comments on Reading to Know: Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian TraditionCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08772667430500306088noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-11777372262850628212012-11-13T10:12:30.896-08:002012-11-13T10:12:30.896-08:00This is a topic I've been thinking about all w...This is a topic I've been thinking about all weekend. I think most of us are like Barbara H., we make hospitality too complicated. We prepare elaborate meals, clean our homes until they are immaculate, and threaten our children to use their "company manners." We set impossible expectations on ourselves, our families, and the event. Expectations of perfection. <br /><br />When I am invited to someone's home and everything is perfect and adorable and I am "served" the whole time I'm there -- I feel uncomfortable. I don't accept invitations because I want to see how perfect her home is or how great a cook she is. I accept because I desire relationship with my hostess. <br /><br />My husband and I are trying to build relationships with other couples/families. So I've committed to having someone in our home once a month. I know once a month doesn't seem like much but it's a doable starting place for me. Potlucks, simple meals like chili and cornbread, and a regular cleaning schedule will help me make this goal a reality. I'm hoping that by the end of next year we will have deepened existing relationships and built new ones.Stephanie Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02976709475515458563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-43749113542122048312012-11-12T13:50:53.637-08:002012-11-12T13:50:53.637-08:00Can't wait to read this one.Can't wait to read this one. BerlinerinPoethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06853762912371387793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-48370599468932916842012-11-12T13:26:08.836-08:002012-11-12T13:26:08.836-08:00Great review. I keep revisiting it, but just don&...Great review. I keep revisiting it, but just don't know what to say as I keep starting comments that are little more than complaining over how many people we've invited over since we moved here and how few people (read: ONE) have reciprocated.<br /><br />I think it's the "without grumbling" part I need to focus on. :)Shonyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04310547848215492736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-45405841536853908512012-11-11T13:58:19.663-08:002012-11-11T13:58:19.663-08:00Wrote a long comment and lost it. :<(
I like t...Wrote a long comment and lost it. :<(<br /><br />I like the idea of hospitality and believe in it. I usually feel too busy (or protective of my time). Whether it's a simple lunch date with a woman or having a family over, I hold too tightly to "my time." When I actually just DO it, I enjoy it. I'm okay with not worrying about my house being perfect, and in fact, I've been feeling lately that I need to actually make more of an effort in that area.<br /><br />Speaking of offering hospitality to all, have you read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/080101459X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=080101459X&linkCode=as2&tag=jenniferssnap-20" rel="nofollow">The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door</a>? It's a good idea but the audio version is a little annoying, so I don't know if I'll finish.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03789250398792504412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-20476927710962500302012-11-08T16:54:44.403-08:002012-11-08T16:54:44.403-08:00I have a love / hate relationship with hospitality...I have a love / hate relationship with hospitality. I do love having people over here and am fairly relaxed about hosting, entertaining, cooking, etc. My hesitation is that I am about 80% introvert and 20% extrovert (-ish, I'm guessing on these numbers, ha!) and when guests are gone, I am wiped. Then I am a poor parent to my poor tired overstimulated children I now have to tend to, along with a house to put back in order.<br /><br />But all that aside, it is still worth it to be hospitable and open your home to your church community and beyond. I think people are missing out on the beauty of this because they think they are "connecting" with others on FB and it's just not the same. <br /><br />/end soapbox. :)Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660852009014295034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-65065520091030457542012-11-07T13:45:23.615-08:002012-11-07T13:45:23.615-08:00I suddenly realized in reading this post (forgive ...I suddenly realized in reading this post (forgive me for it taking so long) that Offering Hospitality is no longer an active blog. I did enjoy that, but understand you have your hands full!<br /><br />Yesterday at MOPS, we were asked to state characteristics that make our family who we are, and one of the things I said was hospitality.*carrie*https://www.blogger.com/profile/10545859613596796648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-21350276172429158262012-11-07T07:39:57.792-08:002012-11-07T07:39:57.792-08:00Hospitality doesn't come easily to me -- I don...Hospitality doesn't come easily to me -- I don't know why I get extremely nervous about it all. Yet I know I am still supposed to practice it and that God will help me. <br /><br />You also learn better ways of doing it along the way. There are things I used to be painstaking about when we had company over (we used to have French doors inside and I used to give all those glass panes such a going over -- now we have glass on the front door and it's lucky to get a quick swipe. Mainly because no matter how much and when I clean it, it will still get fingerprints on it before someone comes, and they will likely not notice.)<br /><br />I also should have learned by now to simplify. We had some folks over Sunday night after church. I was originally going to have them over on Saturday and toss together an easy crockpot meal, but one couple couldn't make it then, so we went with Sun. night after church. The crockpot meal seemed too "heavy" for that, so I made a bunch of finger foods, even with the other ladies bringing something as well. In the middle of all the cooking, I thought, "When will you ever learn?" <br /><br />Usually at some point in getting ready I think, "Why did I ever schedule this?" But once the people get there I am glad we did. <br /><br />Often I have thought of those incidences, like Abraham's guests, when they had to start from scratch and kill a calf for dinner when people came. That involved a great deal of time and trouble -- yet we're supposed to be willing to put forth that time and trouble to minister to others.Barbara H.http://barbarah.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-59708536323696561522012-11-07T07:18:54.739-08:002012-11-07T07:18:54.739-08:00@Annette - In response to your question, I think i...@Annette - In response to your question, I think it should be practiced. (She does talk about the issue of safety with strangers which is a valid consideration these days but I don't think is what you are getting at with your question.) You have to ask yourself the question, "Who is my neighbor?" and we have a parable that answers that question. Definitely non-believers should see how the Body works and they should see the love of Christ in the hospitality that they are given and receive. <br /><br />Considering your family situation and any safety issues and concerns is certainly important. That wasn't the focal point of the book but yes, it's another thing to think about. Just like the issue of children's behavior as relates to the giving or receiving of hospitality. (That's almost an entirely different subject matter!)<br /><br />The topic of hospitality is certainly broad but the BOTTOM line is that we have to practice it. To everyone, in so much as it is possible. (It usually being more possible than we think.)Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08772667430500306088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-25560140894729923512012-11-07T06:57:29.532-08:002012-11-07T06:57:29.532-08:00I just put this book on hold at the library - than...I just put this book on hold at the library - thank you for the recommendation. <br /><br />"A unified Body is a sight to behold." - I just love that.<br /><br />xomicheleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-39541742401883118132012-11-07T06:33:34.539-08:002012-11-07T06:33:34.539-08:00Sounds like some good to think on as we consider t...Sounds like some good to think on as we consider the history and implement hospitality into our present lives.<br /><br />Here's a question:<br />What are your thoughts on hospitality to the stranger who is not a believer?Annette Whipplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00992675906662456790noreply@blogger.com