Simple Hospitality......It really can be simple!!

I have been reading the book written by Jane Jarrell, titled, "Simple Hospitality". I thought I might share a little of it with you.

I really enjoyed reading this one thing that she wrote about using the letters that spell out the word "hospitality". So today we look at the H.

H--Hospital for the Soul

Why does one go to the hospital? To visit, maybe, or to welcome a new person into the world. But oftentimes it's because our bodies are broken. A hospital can be a place to go for healing and repair.

So the word hospitable is taken from the word hospital, which means a charitable institution, a repair shop, a hospice, or a shelter. Hospitality is a shelter for the soul, healing for the spirit. So when we open our home in the true spirit of hospitality or when we bring our gifts of hospitality outside of our homes, we are offering hospitality!!

The Bible states it this way: Romans 12:9-13, "Let love be without dissimulation.....v10, Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;. .vs12, Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; vs13, Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality."

So real Christian hospitality isn't an option, it is what God commands.

O-Obedience

Some may think focusing on hospitality is frivolous or a waste of time. But in reality it is nothing less than obeying God's clear command in Scripture. Hospitality was not Martha Stewart's invention; it was God's!! Romans 12 paints an incredible picture of what it means to truly give our lives to God......In these selfless acts, we serve not only those in need but Christ Himself. Hospitality is obeying God by cheerfully serving others.

S-Simplicity

If we don't approach hospitality simply, most of us won't do it at all. When we exchange the harried hoopla for the heartfelt, everyone is blessed. Can we be comfortable when everything is not perfect, or do we always need to put on a show for people? As one lady states "I don't want to buy your house, I just want to visit." Simplicity brings us closer to having authentic relationships. Our focus is on our guests, not on the "stuff" that surrounds us.

P--Prayer

Hospitality involves prayer. Ask God to show you who and how to show hospitality to. God will show you the when, the how, and what that someone might need. I may not know what a person needs at the time but God knows!! You should always ask God for His blessing on the gathering you are about to have with someone, no matter how small or large the number will be.

I--Intimacy

Intimacy is sharing who you are and what you are to others. You need this type of relationship with your husband, your family and your friends, but nurturing genuine intimacy takes time and effort.

Cell phones and emails are nice, but we need to take time to sit quietly with a friend sometimes. You never know where they are at or what they may need.. Time plus realness plus genuine caring equals intimacy.

Simple Hospitality......It really can be simple!!

T--To Go

Are you ready to take your kindness on the road? Do you have a plan or list of ideas that will work in a hurry?

Keep a few recipes with the ingredients on hand so that you can prepare a meal or a welcoming treat for someone in need.

There is something extra-special about busy people who take the time to reach out and help others.

A--Acknowledge and Appreciate

We all have our own gifts, but what about those who are known for the hospitality? They also need a "dose" of hospitality sometimes. They need to be acknowledged for their kindness, appreciated for the efforts and recipients of the hospitality of others.

Most of us are "takers' by nature and unless we make a conscious effort, we’ll always take and forget to give back. Those who are more "givers", either by nature or intent, often get taken for granted.

In our busy lives, gratitude is often felt yet not expressed.

L--Lifestyle

Hospitality is a lifestyle, a ministry lifestyle. God weaves it into our hearts. We all need each other to make the body of Christ its best. You are making the commitment to a lifestyle of opening up your heart to others on a regular basis.

You will need to start small, perhaps by committing to one act of hospitality each month. Gradually you will see how easy it is and move towards once a week and before you know it you will be asking God to show you someone in need every day!!

Take time to ask God to show you how He might use you today, this week or this month. You are allowing God to work through you and when He is working, we cannot fail.

I--Ideas

When looking for ideas for hospitality, scan your favorite magazines, talk with your friends or keep a simple notebook or card file with your favorite recipes, holiday decorating ideas, party themes, or anything else that spurs your hospitality thinking. Just keep it simple, and honest. Let God's love show through you and that will be all that you need to make any time a good time to visit.

T--Time

We are all short on time for the things that we want to do or need to do. That is why hospitality is such a valuable gift to others. It means we gave them our most precious resource: our time.

Think of things to do for hospitality for others when you are doing for your family. Double a casserole for dinner one night and freeze the one for a family that may be in need, or a mother who may be sick at the time.

When baking cookies for your family, bake a few more to brighten someone's day. Out buying groceries? Cut back on one thing or two for snacks and make up a meal for a new mom.

If your time is limited, begin your quest to hospitality with small things and think about other ways that you will want to show it when your time allows for it.

Y--You

To show hospitality to others, you must first love yourself so that you are capable of loving others. This means taking care of yourself so that you are able to take care of others. When we've taken the time to put our own hearts in order, we are freed to reach beyond ourselves to meet others where they are.

• 0 Thoughts about this post • Share Your Thoughts! • Permanent Link

Friends it is that time again to sign up for the TOS Summer Reading Program. Just click on the button above and see what is going on this summer. It is going to be great fun for the summer !

• 0 Thoughts about this post • Share Your Thoughts! • Permanent Link

Squash Fritters

About 3/4 pounds yellow squash, sliced
1 egg, beaten
6 Tbsp. of flour
5 Tbsp. of cornmeal
1/2 Tsp. baking powder
Salt/ Pepper to suit you
A couple shakes paprika
1 Medium Onion, grated
Vegetable oil

Cover squash with water and boil 10-15 minutes or till tender
Drain and mash squash to measure 1 cup
Stir squash and egg together well
In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt, pepper, paprika; stir these well.
Add squash and onion and stir till well blended.
Drop squash mixture by level Tablespoons into hot oil in skillet
Cook till golden brown, turning once
Drain well on paper towels and lightly sprinkle with powdered sugar.

• 0 Thoughts about this post • Share Your Thoughts! • Permanent Link

Zucchini Oatmeal Cake

Ingredients:

·         2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

·         1 cup quick-cooking oats

·         2 teaspoons baking powder

·         1 teaspoon baking soda

·         1 teaspoon salt

·         1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

·         1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

·         1 1/2 sticks butter (6 ounces)

·         1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed

·         3 large eggs

·         1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

·         3/4 cup buttermilk

·         2 cups shredded zucchini

·         3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preparation:

Grease and flour a 10- to 12-cup bundt cake pan. Heat oven to 325°.

In a bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, soda, salt, and spices; set aside. In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, cream butter and brown sugar until light. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat in the vanilla. Slowly beat in the dry ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir in shredded zucchini and nuts. Spoon into the prepared baking pan.

Bake for 65 to 75 minutes, or until golden brown and a cake tester or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes; invert onto a serving plate to cool completely. Glaze or dust with powdered sugar.

• 0 Thoughts about this post • Share Your Thoughts! • Permanent Link

Well, it is here !! The unofficial start to summer…… Are you ready?

So far I don’t have a lot planned for the long week end but that is good. I like to weigh out my options you know, lol.

I have a lot plans for this summer and I am just praying that my health holds up and I get to see some of my plans come in to play. I want to make us an “outdoor living” space to use this summer. So far to keep the cost low, we are going to start parking our cars in a different way so we can use the parking pad as our patio. I already have a swing/frame that my husband made me and also a nice bench that matches the swing. I have a small grill but would love to get a new one that is a little bit bigger. We will see. I am hoping that my husband will make me a picnic table and also a “work island” type table to have close to the grill. You know, high enough that the dog can’t eat the food, lol…….

I plan on using some flower boxes to define the area as a patio and to brighten up the place. In the late afternoon/evening, this area is shaded and is so cool to just sit and relax. My husband is using working out in the barn ( his wood working shop) making something for someone and so now I will be close by for visiting.

My middle daughter and I are also trying our hand at a very small garden this year and I hope to get busy with that this week-end. We have some things spouted and ready to go out in the garden. I am so excited to see if I can do this. My health is getting better and I am ready to be outdoors for the summer.

Saturday the men will be working on our new building at church. They are only planning on working till about noon so that still gives some time to do something with the day. I will be up at the church while they are working. I like to be close by for anything that they might need. Like something cool to drink while working on the roof.

Sunday will be church for the most of the day. I hope to maybe visit my parents in the afternoon between services. We will see. Monday afternoon our church family will be gathering a home for a day filled of family fun and cooking out. The kids love it. There will be so much to do, fishing, baseball, riding 4-wheelers, or just playing tag.  We will be grilling out and everyone just brings whatever their family wants to eat. We usually go till dark and it is just a wonderful time together.

I hope to come up with a few new recipes to try and maybe make a new desert for the holiday. All I know is from where I am sitting right now Tuesday looks so far off and the weekend looks great !!

What are your plans?  Are you making anything special for the holiday weekend? Do share……

• 1 Thoughts about this post • Share Your Thoughts! • Permanent Link

Thanks for stopping by ... come visit again soon!