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Freedom Friday – On Hospitality – Part 1

January 9, 2015 by Patti 23 Comments

We waved goodbye to our New Year’s Eve party hosts and climbed into the car.

After settling into his seat and buckling his seat belt my husband turned to me and said,

“Those people are crazy!”

“I know!”, I replied in agreement.

“They are just like US!”, he said.

“I KNOW! Isn’t it GREAT?” (insert happy sigh)

Welcome to FREEDOM FRIDAY – A new devotional, emotional, spiritual and sometimes hysterical series that I will be sharing on occasional Fridays, in addition to my regular Old Things New posts. Why?  Because though once bound in chains Christ has set me free –  FREE to live, to love, to dance, to sing, to be who God created me to be!

As we are settling in to our new home in South Carolina God has shown Himself  faithful in that He has opened many doors of welcome. He has shown us that where His people are there is love, acceptance and even a bit of laughter . . . my favorite thing!

Hoyt House New Year's Eve 049

This is us, being crazy, and welcoming in the New Year with a toast of sparkling cider at the home of some wonderful new friends!

Wait! Do we really look this old?  LOL!

Many people choose a “word of the year”, usually something they want to focus on being or doing in the New Year.  I didn’t even have to pray or think about what that word would be because it has been blaring in my ears for the past two months.

Den and Kitchen Pictures 057

My word for the year is HOSPITALITY.

We’ve always practiced hospitality in our home.  Hey, we had the lake house . . .  so how could we NOT?  So why would God give me the word hospitality?  I believe that God wants to take hospitality to a whole new level in the year 2015.

I’m learning a new form of hospitality here in the South, where neighbors come to your door bearing gifts of welcome and invite you to come by for a visit any time; where new acquaintances invite you over for lunch after church to share a bowl of soup . . . and then you end up sharing a whole lot more . . . and leave knowing that this is the beginning of a great friendship; where chance acquaintances round up a team of strong men to come over and carry your 500 pound desk upstairs (16 stairs to be exact) and get it settled into your husband’s office; where people freely give out their cell phone numbers and tell you to call if you need a hand with anything, and they really mean it; where the mailman tells you that if you need to mail out any packages for Christmas and don’t have the postage, just put it in the box for him with a note and he’ll cover it until you can pay him back!  Yes, even though that isn’t an invitation into a home that is a form of hospitality or welcome!

welcome-sign

Y’all (I really like that word) I’m not saying that people weren’t hospitable or helpful back home because they certainly were, but Southern hospitality is hospitality on steroids and I want me some of that!

So that is my word for the year, but did you know that hospitality is something that ALL Christ followers are called to do (I Peter 4:9)?  This means you!  This week on Freedom Friday I want to share with you some things I’ve learned about hospitality. The list I’ve created is from many sources,the Allume conference I attended in October, other bloggers, and my own reading . . . but honestly . . . most of what I learned was by example, by observing my own mom who always received people into our home with a warm welcome, and my big sister, who I like to tell everyone is Martha Stewart, but better, because she loves the Lord.

Den and Kitchen Pictures 064

Things I’m learning about hospitality:

  • If God isn’t in it, what good comes from it?  Hospitality isn’t a show.  It’s not about you.  It isn’t about how big your home is or how immaculate or how well decorated. It isn’t about serving a fancy or expensive meal. It IS about extending God’s grace and love to those you invite into your space, whether that be your  home, your church, your community, or even your table at Starbucks!
  • When people come into your home don’t apologize for the imperfections. Just say, “Thank you.” To be honest, I’ve not quite perfected this yet but it is a new year and time for a new start!
  • Though some people can pull off spontaneous hospitality (what a gift!) it doesn’t just happen for most of us. It  usually takes some planning to create a place that makes others feel welcome.
  • There isn’t always time for a thorough house cleaning so have a laundry basket to pick up the clutter, keep some baby wipes on hand to clean up the stickies and light a candle.  One of the speakers at the conference I attended in October said to cook up some bacon to make your house smell good, or onions if your guests are vegetarians! I like to put a pan of water on to boil with some cloves and cinnamon sticks or burn a lightly scented candle.
  • Create an environment of comfort, physical and emotional.
  • Be present. Show up at your own party! Be a gift to those you host.
  • Listen and ask.
  • Make it a sacred space, a space where people can share from the heart without fear that their words will be repeated.
  • Practice generosity by giving of yourself. Be authentic so others feel safe in sharing also.
  • Be sensitive to the needs of your guests.
  • Be prepared for hospitality to get messy . . . people cry!
  • Though it can get hard, you never know what exciting thing might come out of the sharing. Maybe NEW LIFE will happen right there in your den.
  • Make it your goal to create a place where people will feel better about themselves when they leave your home.
  • Be crazy! Laughter is good for the soul. (Prov. 17:22)
  • Finally, don’t worry about how things went when everyone has gone.  In the words of Mother Teresa, “God hasn’t called me to be successful, He’s called me to be faithful.”

Hospitality gets easier the more you practice it. I used to scramble around in preparation, snap at my husband and kids, and even feel resentment for having to do everything for everyone else! This is me, being authentic! The Freedom Friday part here is that God has set me free from caring so much about how my house appears to others and caring more about those who come into my home.

Den 001

Oh how I wish you could come over to my house.  I’d love to know who you are, what God has been doing in your life, what inspires you, what your favorite Scriptures are, or your favorite worship music . . . what condition your heart is in. But even though I can’t see you face-to-face, I hope you feel welcome here in my little blogging space.  I hope you know how much I care about you and that I pray for you as I write out each of these Freedom Friday posts.  I especially hope you know how much God loves you and that He wants more than anything to welcome you into His Presence, because He is the greatest host of all!

Tea-cup

PRAYER:  Papa God, please give us your heart of love for others and show us creative ways to practice hospitality, whether that be in our homes or out in our communities.  Please remove any fear of not doing it right or not measuring up, because fear is not from You.  Give us insight into the lives of those we invite into our homes so we will know how best to meet their needs.  Give us godly discernment to know when to speak, when to listen, when to be serious and when it is a time for laughter! May you be blessed through our practice of hospitality and may all who enter into our spaces feel better about themselves (not about us) when they leave.

Blessings from the heart,

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Comments

  1. Lucy Beliveau says

    January 10, 2015 at 11:10 am

    I feel very welcome in your little blogging space and I, too, wish I could pop over for a “get to know you” visit!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post today. My mood has been a bit low and melancholy this morning. I suffer from severe back pain and surgery is in my near future but I still have my house set as though guests were coming for a visit! I guess it’s in the blood? What do you think? I do know that southern hospitality runs in my veins!! Anyway., thanks for the warm welcome! I’ll definitely check in daily this week to see what fun and interesting things you’re up to! Take care and bless you my dear!

    Reply
  2. Trina says

    January 10, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    Thank you for a very uplifting post. One of my goals this year is hospitality. You’ve given me so many good ideas. God bless you!

    Reply
  3. Sharon H says

    January 10, 2015 at 6:02 pm

    Well, I know I wish I could pop over to your home and visit, and really get to know you. I so look forward to your posts. So uplifting, so genuine. Thank you for coming into MY home and sharing yourself. And no, you neither one look that old to me! Bless you, Patti

    Reply
  4. Carol says

    January 10, 2015 at 7:57 pm

    Wonderful word! I love your thoughts on this–and your experience of hospitality in the south. You have inspired me.

    Reply
  5. Pat says

    January 10, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    Patti,
    I always feel like a “welcomed guest” at your blog, dear friend!
    I come away inspired and uplifted!!!
    Years ago, I found a primitive word sign in a run down Shop
    which now hangs atop the cloak closet door where all who enter
    our home see it immediately. . .it reads simply,
    Enter as strangers ~ Leave as friends.
    Please know that you, too, are always a welcomed guest in our home. . .
    and our hearts!!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    Reply
  6. trisha says

    January 10, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    Fantastic! I’m a philly suburbanite and you hit the nail on the head,, it seems we are always entertaining and would love to be company in someone else’s home!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU,
    Enjoy your southern experience!!

    Reply
  7. Sheila S. says

    January 11, 2015 at 9:53 am

    Good Morning Patti,
    My heart is always uplifted when I see a new post arrive from you. You are like a breath of fresh air and you remind me of my dear friend Helene who always keeps the good Lord in the forefront of all her thoughts.

    I related to many of the comments you made in your post today and going forward I want to remember more of those thoughts you are currently learning about hospitality. I also chose a word this year, it’s ‘nourish’ .. I want to nourish my soul, body and mind this year.

    Happy New Year to you!
    Sheila

    Reply
  8. Anne says

    January 11, 2015 at 4:04 pm

    I love and miss you Patti Krank!

    Reply
  9. Ann says

    January 11, 2015 at 5:57 pm

    I really enjoyed reading your blog. I’m hopping over from Make my Saturday sweet..
    I’m wishing you wonderful week ahead.
    blessings
    Ann

    Reply
  10. Stacey says

    January 13, 2015 at 2:23 pm

    Patti, this is one of my favorite subjects. Can’t wait to see what else you have to say about it.

    Reply
  11. Suzie@homemaker-mom says

    January 15, 2015 at 10:02 am

    I LOVE this post. Well done! Found you via Thriving Thursday!

    Reply
  12. Tiffany says

    January 15, 2015 at 12:41 pm

    Such a beautiful post. This is something God has been teaching me the past year, as well. Thanks for sharing your incite 🙂

    Reply
  13. Tiffany says

    January 15, 2015 at 3:22 pm

    Patti, I really enjoyed your words today and was so glad to be your downstairs neighbor at Holley Gerth’s. Hospitality is such a lost art and one that I see dwindling in the face of our fast paced, instant gratification, social media culture. The days of sitting down over a cup of coffee with a dear friend are fleeting. I love to open my home and create a warm, safe spot for women to gather and I’ve noticed that the younger generation is especially blessed by this. It’s not only an opportunity to gather, but to teach them what hospitality looks like – the Titus principles, right?! Thank you for spreading the word and sharing your heart. Blessings!

    Reply
  14. patty says

    January 16, 2015 at 9:10 am

    You touched my heart.

    Reply
  15. Sarah Donegan says

    January 19, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    We live in the south too. Yesterday we met our new next door neighbors and told them we are moving in on Friday. The wife said she will make us dinner. I want to be more like that too! 🙂

    Reply
  16. Heather says

    January 19, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    Wow, this is one of the very best posts on hospitality I’ve ever read!!

    Reply
  17. Richella Parham says

    January 22, 2015 at 8:47 am

    Oh, Patti, I just love this post. And I want to come to your house!! 🙂

    Thank you for joining Grace at Home. I’m featuring you this week!

    Reply
  18. Janet says

    January 22, 2015 at 11:33 pm

    Your thoughts on hospitality touched my heart deeply. My dad’s family was from the south and my mom was a wonderful hostess. I was raised in a home where hospitality abounded. Your prayer has become my prayer. I desire this year to be full of hospitality and God’s graciousness.

    Reply
  19. Patty Jordan says

    January 12, 2016 at 12:06 am

    Your thoughts brought to mind the “Connecting with God in the New Year 2016 Resolutions” that had caught my attention on Pinterest. Your word for the year is so appropo for the repeated calling I have felt in an area that I need to work on. Our world is full of hurting and messed up people who could benefit from a listening ear, as well as, our hospitality.
    Blessings from one Perfectly Imperfect Patty to Another!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Capture Your Journey Link Up #47 - Joy Dare Blog says:
    January 20, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    […] 3. Freedom Friday – On Hospitality […]

    Reply
  2. Freedom Friday - Hospitality Part 2 says:
    January 23, 2015 at 10:05 pm

    […] I was excited about the game but I was also excited because my husband had invited our next-door neighbors over to watch with us and this was another chance to practice hospitality, that thing I’ve been learning more about since moving to the South (for Part 1 on Hospitality you can link back HERE). […]

    Reply
  3. My ALMOST Finished Living Room Reveal! says:
    February 5, 2015 at 10:28 am

    […] waiting for attention.  Since we want to reach new heights in hospitality (Hospitality part one and part two can be seen HERE and HERE) in our new home, that is the first […]

    Reply
  4. Old Things New – Looking Back While Looking Forward – Top Posts of 2015 says:
    January 2, 2016 at 6:29 pm

    […] 3. Freedom Friday – on Hospitality […]

    Reply

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Welcome! I am Perfectly Imperfect Patti and I’d like to invite you to come in and take a seat in this creative space of mine.

I love the process of hunting for orphaned and cast off furniture (particularly my Chosen Chairs) and then taking the time to transform each piece into something new and beautiful. This process allows me to reflect upon my own story of transformation and blesses me over and over with each piece I redesign.

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“In 1965, Charles Schulz, a devout Christian and “In 1965, Charles Schulz, a devout Christian and creator of the Peanuts comic strip, was asked to create a Christmas special for CBS featuring the Peanuts Characters. He agreed with one requirement, that they allow him to include the story of the birth of Jesus. Although the stations executives were hesitant and tried to convince him otherwise, Schulz was insistent. As a result, for the past 50 plus years, millions of people have watched “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and heard the story of Jesus and “what Christmas is all about.”

It wasn’t until a few years back that I realized a “hidden message” in the film. Linus, a child who seems to have some insecurities as he carries a security blanket with him at all times. In fact, Linus NEVER drops his blanket, except once....

While sharing the message of “what Christmas is all about,” Linus drops his blanket at the exact moment he says the words, “fear not!”

In this seemingly innocent moment, Linus delivers a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. We are to “fear not”, for Jesus is born. We needn’t rely on material things for security, we have God with us, “Immanuel”, (Matthew 1:23) Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior - the true meaning of Christmas.

Awhile back, someone informed me, indignantly so, that Linus picks up his blanket at the end of the speech so my interpretation must be wrong. Well, he was right, Linus does pick up his blanket at the end of his speech. However, he “drops” it again later... 

Amid big, bright, colorful, shiny artificial trees, Charlie Brown chose the least of these, a little, wooden tree with just a few branches. Shortly thereafter, Linus uses his blanket to wrap about the base of the tree and says, “Maybe it just needs a little love”. In that moment, the tree “awakens”, stands tall and firm. A reminder that no matter who we are, how many mistakes we’ve made, a “little love” can make all the difference.

Let’s strive to “fear not” (Luke 2:10) and “love one another” (John 13:34), not just at Christmastime, but the whole year through.”

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