{31 Days of Hospitality} Day 3 ~ It's Not About Me

Not to Impress, But to Bless

What are some of the reasons excuses we have for not opening our homes?  Have you ever said any of these?  (I have.)

• "My house isn't big enough."
• "My house isn't finished."
• "The couch is faded."
• "My children are too small."
• "It is not convenient." 
• "I'm too busy."
• "I am not a very good cook."  
• "I can't afford to have people over."

Do you see what every one of these reasons excuses has in common?  They are all about me.  Yes, that's right.  They are about me comparing myself with someone else, or me wanting to make an impression, or me not wanting to be inconvenienced.   Think about it.  

Of course, you must be realistic.  If you have a tiny house, you can't host a party for fifty people.  But you can invite one or two people over for a simple supper, or for coffee and dessert.  And if you're remodeling your kitchen, or your daughter is getting married, or you have some other big project in the works, you might want to wait until things settle down a bit to plan a dinner party. 

But I'll just bet that the lady who is a fabulous cook will enjoy the simple meal that you graciously serve her.  It's not all about the food anyway.  It's about time spent together, in a warm and welcoming environment.  It's about sharing fellowship with others in His body, or reaching out to someone who isn't.

If finances are limited, consider allowing your guests to contribute to the menu, or host a potluck.  Or buy a 2-liter bottle of root beer and some store brand vanilla ice cream and serve root beer floats.

Just don't miss out on making wonderful memories and making connections with people,  simply because you can't get past the "me" part.