As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Wednesday, October 31, 2012

{31 Days of Hospitality} Day 31 ~ Final Thoughts


Not to Impress, But to Bless





Have you been challenged with some fresh ideas, a new perspective, a renewed resolve as we have chatted about hospitality this month?  

I have.  (Don't they say that the teacher often learns the most?)  In pondering the whys and hows of practicing hospitality, I have been challenged in my own thinking.  I have confessed to some of my challenges, and I am going to keep working on overcoming them because...  

Hospitality is worth it!  


Remember, it's not about me.  It's about blessing others.  


One more thing...

This series was not intended to make you feel guilty for not entertaining enough.  My purpose was not to coerce you into opening your home every week, or month, or year.  There is no correct number of times, nor correct number of people, nor correct style of party, nor correct mode of extravagance or simplicity.  

My purpose was to make you feel comfortable in opening your home.  To remind you that hospitality is directed by God.  To help you to see that you can be a blessing to people...in your home, with your style.   

(And it doesn't have to be perfect.)  

The important thing is to be open to the opportunities to be a blessing that the Lord puts in your path!  





Thanks to all of you who have joined me here this month for 
31 Days of Hospitality!

7 comments:

  1. I grade you an A+ in achieving your purpose! I've enjoyed the reminders and new tips about the ministry of hospitality. Looking forward to opportunities to practice them :)

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  2. You have certainly challenged me and I doubt that I will ever forget that hospitality is not to impress but to bless. That alone should help me to be more welcoming, to wear a smile, to love others enough to provide some warmth. It's a cruel world out there. It seems especially cruel this week with so many suffering the effects of the hurricane.

    I was just going to pop in to Blogdom briefly to say hi here and there. I left and had to stop because I had not found you yet. I truly came looking for this final post in the series. May God richly bless you for your dedication to it. Beautifully done!

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  3. You've done a wonderful series of posts, Cheryl. I know that I've been challenged once again to practice this art of hospitality. Thank you for all the effort you have put into this.

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  4. I have given lots of thought to the "not to impress but to bless" line of thinking since reading your series. Thank you! The other day my father in law layed back on my beautiful new couch pillows. I thought, "not to impress but to bless". It is freeing!

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  5. This was such wonderful series and the idea of Not to Impress, but to Bless" has resonated with your readers!

    Deanna

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  6. Cheryl,
    This was a wonderful series, and I believe it will stay with all of us.
    What occurred to me yesterday is that your hospitality extends to your blog, and to our blogs as well.
    Thank you!

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  7. i came over because vee linked us here and
    am so glad i did! hospitality is a lost art
    and ministry. i find it so much easier to
    be hospitable to my children's kids, because
    i don't even think of anything but welcoming
    them.

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