As girl moms, it’s important that we continue to grow ourselves becoming more like Jesus and of course stronger in who we are in Him. One part of growth is being strong in our community relationships.
Valentine’s Day is not my favorite holiday. Never has been. It seems to bring a lot of expectation without much delivery. I mean, the colors are perfect. Pink and red are my favorites. But honestly that’s about it. The season’s all wrong, the candy’s not that great, and it’s quite exculsive – a snob-holiday, if you will.
The Valentine’s Day inner-circle says that unless you’re dating someone or married you’re not invited to the party – no Valentine’s Day for you. Just turn on the T.V. or walk through the mall. Everyone is trying to sell you something to make your night more romantic.
As a single woman I was not a part of the Valentine’s Day inner-circle. Except for the year I was engaged, I can’t remember having a date on Valentine’s Day. The only cards and candy I received were from my first graders whom I taught. And maybe my mom.
I am beyond excited to introduce you to my dear online friend – Emily Enockson! Emily and I served as co-leaders for a one of (in)courage’s online community groups for single women a few years ago. Emily is who I wish I was when I was a single woman! She is living an abundant life as a single woman through work, ministry, serving, and hospitality. Emily is full of joy and teaches me so much! I asked her to share with you today the importance of hospitality for a single woman and how she does it. So sit back and enjoy Emily’s words! And be sure to check out her blog! She is a wonderful example for all single women!
Last Spring when I moved into a little cottage on the lake, my prayer was that it would be a place of respite to all who entered. God has answered this prayer beyond what I could ask or imagine. Often after I’ve hosted a dinner party or had a friend stay for the weekend, I’ll receive a thank you note. Yet, it feels like I’m the one who has been given the greatest gift. Through opening the door of my home, God has revealed His perfect love and grace to me. When my fresh raspberry scones turn blue or the dishes are piled high in the sink and company is 1 hour early, God gently reminds me that His grace is sufficient in weakness. God’s unconditional love is shown through conversation, tears, and truth spoken in my tiny but lovely living room.
This is Emily’s quaint little cottage! I wish I lived nearby!
The art of hospitality and homemaking can often be pushed aside until someone is married. However, we are all created for community, to live life along side of people. Single, married, extrovert, introvert, student, or professional –we are all called to pursue hospitality.
1 Peter 4:9-10 says “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied Grace.”
Hospitality literally means “fond of guests”. Did you catch that? Fond of guests, not perfect table linens or scented candles. It can be easy to result to the trap of comparison and invite a new friend to Starbucks, instead of into your home. However, something unique happens when we choose to invite someone into our homes (dust bunnies and all!). I have found that conversation is a little deeper, truth a little more clear and the laughter louder when we are at home.
In this passage we are not just encouraged to welcome people into our homes cheerfully, but to use our unique gifts to serve others. If you have a heart for young women consider hosting a Bible study, or if you are a talented cook invite neighbors over for a delicious homemade meal. Hospitality may look different for everyone, but the common thread is the focus is on the relationship and not the rushing. Friend, whatever season you are in I encourage you to take a step of faith and cheerfully practice the art of hospitality. Remember, the goal of hospitality is not perfection, it’s showing grace and love to each other.
Grace Notes:A few simple times that encourage GraceFull Hospitality.
Invite a friend over for a cup of tea and conversation. Focus on getting to know her more NOT whether your house looks perfect.
Next time you bake something, double the recipe and share it with your neighbors. You never know what God-moments may happen.
At your next dinner party, ask guests to bring a favorite appetizer or dessert. Less time in the kitchen doing prep work means more time with your guests, plus you may discover a new favorite!
Do a quick clean up on Sunday night, you’ll be able to welcome unexpected guests to your home, with joy and peace. Remember it doesn’t have to be PERFECT to be beautiful.
Hi friend, I’m Emily and I blog at www.AGraceFullHome.com. I am a 20-something, vintage-loving, book devouring, midwestern girl who depends on God’s grace daily. I am learning every day to live abundantly for Christ by serving my family in caring for my sweet sister who has special needs and helping start a non-profit nature based respite program for children with special needs. My hearts desire is to encourage women that life does not have to be perfect to be beautiful.
Do you practice hospitality often? Do you like it? What is the hardest part for you?
I want to encourage you to have some girlfriends over this Valentine’s Day! God doesn’t want us to live defeated but to live full of His presence! There’s no reason you can’t have a memorable, fun Valentine’s Day right where you are! Need some tips to get started? Check out this post: Fall in Love with Your Life.
I never thought much about storytelling, really, until I started blogging almost six years ago. I certainly didn’t think about telling my stories. But when I started writing here something cathartic happened. My past bubbled over into my present, and I couldn’t shake it.
I wanted something good to come from stories that brought me so much pain and so much joy. I figured that if nothing good came from them then they were lived in vain, in a sense. Desperate to make my stories have a purpose, I slowly opened up and began telling them one by one.
Then the emails came. Messages from all of you, from all over the world, telling me thank you and that you understood and that you made a different choice because of something I wrote.
There was redemption.
I began to think that I’d live those stories again if it meant they would help someone else. I saw a glimpse of the bigger story. The past started to make sense.
Every living person has a story to tell. And for every story there is someone who needs to hear it. And the person who hears it creates their own story with possibly a bit of how yours changed theirs. Then, they share their story with someone new. Your story can change the world.
We need your story.
This year the (in)RL Conference is all about story-telling. I want to invite you to a community where your story is hoped for, needed, and welcomed. Yes, that can be a little scary. But at the same time it’s freeing.
Someone is waiting to hear your story. Someone is waiting for your story to change their world.
If you’re not familiar with (in)RL, it’s a two-day conference in April right in your hometown wherever that may be. Women from around the world host the (in)RL conference in their homes or local coffee shops or even churches. And you’re invited. Regardless if you don’t know anyone yet, you’re still invited.
Registration starts today! And it’s FREE!
Here are all the details:
When: The (in)RL Online Webcast kicks off on Friday, April 25 and (in)RL Meet-ups follow on Saturday, April 26.
What: In 2012 we explored the nitty-gritty of community. Last year we took a closer look at what it takes to stay rooted in community, even when sometimes walking away would be so much easier. This year we’re looking at the power of story. No matter how much life you’ve lived or what you’ve walked through, you have a story. And girl, we need your story! More than 30 women in different stages of life will share their personal testimonies and stories of community, the messy and the beautiful and the beautifully messy.
Extra Fun Stuff: We’re giving everyone who registers a free backstage pass to all (in)RL content from 2012 & 2013! {access expires April 24, 2014}
AND
Anyone who registers on the www.inrl.us page on January 15th will be entered to win a FREE Allume Conference ticket!
New This Year! Instead of charging for (in)RL, we’re offering a Giv(in)g opportunity. Click here for more details.
Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask me! I hosted (in)RL the first year and attended last year! If you live in NC, I’d also love to meet you at this year’s meet-up!
Yesterday we started the conversation answering the question, “Do Christian singles have to go to church?”, and the conclusion I drew was, yes, Christian singles should go to church. I’m sure that’s not surprising.
The other day I got a text message. It wasn’t the kind filled with exclamation points and emoticons but with hard periods and imperatives. And it was concerning Christmas.
The moment I read it I got a knot in my stomach. The knot stayed there for days, and now as I anticipate this week of Christmas I can’t shake the words. You see, this week I’m going to see the family member who sent me that text message. As much as I want to say my thoughts are of compassion and forgiveness and love, they’re really filled with dread. I imagine conversations I’m going to have with her. What I’m going to say if she says this or that. How I’m going to respond to the looks, sighs, and snide comments.
This isn’t the first time I’ve faced dreadful moments with family members during the holidays. And I’m certain it won’t be the last. Holidays can be messy! What I can do this week and in the future, however, is remember what I’ve learned from times before.
Today I’m sharing one of those times over at Encouragement Cafe and how we can love the unlovable by being living sacrifices. Join me there, and let’s pray for each other this week that no matter what holiday messiness we find ourselves in, we will be the hands and feet of Jesus – living sacrifices – that point others back to Him.
A dear friend who I love and respect and look up to so much (I secretly want to be like her when I grow up even though she’s a little younger than me) posted on Facebook recently that she is reading Jen Hatmaker’s book 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess. She said that the book is “rocking her world” and she’s been “gutting her house and making packages for homeless people”.
Oh wow! I want to want to gut my house and make packages for homeless people. I really do.
But I’m not ready to read Jen Hatmaker’s book 7. (more…)
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