Welcoming you “home”

I love sharing my home, but I’ve often been discouraged thinking that I’m a less than perfect hostess. Let me paint you a picture.

When you first come into my house, my children will probably subject you to a tour of all of their toys (we’re working on this). Next, my son will probably do the crazy dance in the living room floor; and if you even smile at him, he’ll interpret that as an invitation for an encore (we’re working on that, too). My husband is usually the one to notice that your glass is empty. And you’ll most likely have to ask me for a napkin.  The house will be mostly clean, and the meal will be warm. But I don’t multi-task well, so you might have to serve yourself or, as the saying goes, “make yourself at home.”

It’s discouraging sometimes to look at that reality because I’ve had in my head this idea that if all the details aren’t perfect, I’m not taking good care of my company. Then I read a post that emphasized the difference between entertaining and being hospitable.

When you entertain, every detail must be perfect; and the one in the spotlight is you. Hospitality, on the other hand, is sharing—sharing your home, your table, your meal, your family, and your imperfections. When you open your home to share your blessings, God is placed in the spotlight.

Reading that comparison was very freeing. I was free to make mistakes, free to share my meal and grab a napkin for you when you ask for it, free to share my children and all their childish quirks, free to share my home as a place of joy and fun rather than as an exhibit, free to share my perfect God through all my imperfections.

So, I’m throwing my doors wide open—come on in! Fill your glass, grab a napkin, and watch my son’s show. Know that, when you walk through my doors, you’re not an honored guest but family; know that you are loved, and that all I have is yours.

And here’s hoping that my new sense of freedom will set you free as well.