Open House

Here's my disclaimer even as I post this:

 I am lying on my couch nursing the full-blown version of the sore-throat/cold that's threatened for weeks.  This post is an observation made in full awareness of the practical difficulties; this is about baby steps. 

Every night this week seemed to disappear in blur.  Pastor search team, choir practice, the inevitable Walmart run.

Normally, Big Red and I are in a small group Bible study on Wednesdays when our girls are at youth group.  With it unexpectedly cancelled this week, visions of a few peaceful hours danced in my head.  So when some friends invited us to drop by for supper, I can't say I was looking forward to it.

I can say I was amazed by it.

(When's the last time you had an impromptu gathering at your home?

Um, hasn't happened here lately.) 

  

There were no decorations yet, but piano music played softly in the background.

There was potato soup.

Some cornbread that had stuck to the pan and and was somewhat worse for wear.

Pound cake and fruit.

It was simple.

It was perfect.

It reminded me again that we have vastly over-complicated what it means to be hospitable 

and therefore in community.

We have a zillion excuses for our hermit lifestyles. 

Don't blame Pintrest.

Before it, it was Martha and magazines.

My house isn't__, my cooking isn't__, fill-in-the-blank.

More truthfully, my schedule is overfilled and my heart for people is undernourished.

I want to appreciate (and emulate)the potato soup, 

imperfect cornbread,

a mug of coffee,

a cup of cold water

in His Name

for His people.

Be blessed  today,

Ginger