Comments on: Seed Sowing

By: Brunhilda

Brunhilda — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:42:44 +0000

My husband (the last to go through the little buffet line) whispered, “we’re out of food!” I hadn’t even guessed that possible. I had a whole huge crockpot full of chili, homemade bread, fruit… He almost invited another couple over. I was horrified and thankful he hadn’t invited the other people. After everyone left and we were cleaning up, I realized my real source of embarassment…my wrong perspective. I should be thanking God. I had prepared enough food! Every person’s bowl was filled to the brim and even though there were no seconds, there was laughter and fellowship. And two helpings of dessert for everyone. Who am I to complain when it actually was the exact amount of food we needed?!? Now I had a reason to feel ashamed, imagine being grateful for less people to bless at our table. I trust if the other couple had come God would’ve blessed that and fed them too! If I could do it again, I think I’d say “praise God” to my guests, He filled everyone’s bowl before the pot ran out!

By: bean

bean — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:32:12 +0000

And thank you again! These posts are excellent. Thank you!

By: Diane

Diane — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 10:36:36 +0000

Thank you so much for this encouraging post. I am ashamed to admit that I am not big on entertaining. i love making my home cozy and inviting for my family, but am not naturally prone to have folks over… it is an effort. I know I am *supposed* to be hospitable, but it goes against my (sinful) grain. I really appreciate how your post encourages us reluctant hostesses, rather than making us feel guilty. Almost makes me want to invite folks in for this evening;)

By: Becky

Becky — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 23:40:46 +0000

What I really struggle with is similar to Martha in a different way. Sometimes I feel frustrated at being excluded from the most interesting conversations because I’m out of earshot in the kitchen. Or even worse, I hear enough to really whet my appetite for the rest of the story or the debate, and never get to hear the end of it. The more interesting the guests are, the worse it is to miss hearing what they are saying. I really wonder if part of Martha’s problem stemmed from her jealousy of Mary, who was getting to listen to such wonderful things from the most interesting guest imaginable.

The only solution I’ve found so far is to do as much of the preparation ahead of time as I can.

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:42:20 +0000

I think it’s important to remember that being hospitable doesn’t mean you have to cook like Barefoot Contessa, or decorate like Martha Stewart. I often shy away from the idea of hosting a dinner party simply because I am not a very confident cook. Some of our best times of fellowship have happened with Papa Murphy’s pizza on paper plates. I find that my pride is often associated with wanting to host a really nice party. I have learned that my guests are most blessed by our willingness to share and make them feel comfortable, not by how fancy the meal is. Sometimes that actually makes them feel uncomfortable.

By: Brittany Martin

Brittany Martin — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:08:00 +0000

I think Peter himself must have had a good example of this hospitality in his mother-in-law. Jesus healed her so that she could serve them! Before I understood what it meant to embrace hospitality, I used to feel sorry for her in that story (wouldn’t she want to rest a little longer)? Now I understand better–the rest of us serve Christ in other people, but she had The Man there Himself!

By: Abra

Abra — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:03:55 +0000

Thanks for this reminder.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:28:51 +0000

When I was in graduate school I experienced true Christian hospitality and recognized the difference between the biblical virtue/practice and the model I had seen growing up which was entertaining. Heart attitude is everything! It is about loving and sharing and serving and that is SO much harder and more meaningful than just having a nice dinner party!
I can fall into the Martha trap sometimes too. Thanks for the post!

By: Luma

Luma — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:15:57 +0000

My mother is a wonderful hostess. She was and is always timely, she finds joy in the work, she loves to feed people, she loves to give bountifully, she always smiles when she serves, she always prepared dishes that would honor her guests, and she gave liberally and not miserly. Whether it is 2 people or 200 people, my mother truly knows how to love people through hospitality. She was and continues to be a superior example to me as a lovely and gracious hostess. The entire time growing up I don’t ever remember my mother grumbling about or begrudging all the work she would put into hospitality.

Nancy, thank you for addressing this very important issue.