“Here, Mom, I picked these pretties for our party,” our young daughter exclaimed as her clutched hands pushed forth a wild flower weeds and daffodil mixture bouquet from our garden.
Her proud, precious face burst with excitement because her afternoon hike served a greater purpose: honoring our guests with her simple blooms of beauty.
She bounced inside and helped stir the big pitcher of lemonade, while her sister took the large, soft chocolate chip cookies hot from the oven. I started the coffee as the door bell rang.
The next moment we were swept up in welcoming hugs from special girlfriends that had come to spend a simple afternoon together.
Giggles, stories, tears and even moments of reflection all intertwined hearts in just hours. The essence of those moments together was absorbed and cherished, but more importantly, I have prayed that those moments made poignant marks on my daughters.
Not just that specific moment, but fast forward many years and I pray that simple weed bouquet, lemonade and cookie gatherings just like that have been modeled for them time and time again, until hospitality is no longer something that they have to think about or stress over, but that it’s become an outpouring of who they are as women of God.
Through continually pouring out their hearts and homes to others, hospitality seeps through their spirit answering not the question of, “Should I?” but, “When, how and who?” with a full understanding of the soul food that comes from gathering together.
Over a lifetime, my parents have modeled that our home is not our own. Whether I’ve lived in a rented one room apartment or a homestead in the country, I am merrily stewarding this gift that God has graciously given, so how can I not use it for His glory?
Those are the moment markers I pray have been imprinted on our children.
Soak up community around you, surrender reservations that keep connecting from occurring and abide in His purposed plan for time together.
This act of breaking bread together is an opportunity for nourishment on so many levels. Jesus used food throughout his ministry to break down barriers, bring community together, cross economic boundaries and even give Jews and Gentiles the opportunity to eat together.
So much more goes on during a shared meal than simply eating. Personal, social and spiritual needs can all be met through the sharing of real life around a table and that is one of (in)courage’s desires as we host the (in)RL weekend.
Come share your story.
There’s still plenty of time to sign up at a location close to you or even host a simple time together in your own home. (Click here for all the (in)RL details and to register today!)
Our home is a place where everyone is welcome.
On a daily basis we celebrate both the beauty and bedlam of everyday life, and a large majority of that celebration centers around the kitchen and some great comfort food.
So grab some women and gather around your kitchen table to share life together.
It’s in the kitchen where the warmth of shared memories, laughter and life create a recipe that spans generations.
Remember, small is the new big and stress-free hospitality is our new mantra.
When you take the risk to open your heart and home, we want you to actually enjoy the time with your guests. We are all at different life stages, with varying schedules and budgets, so if a beautifully presented atmosphere is your love language, then use those gifts and go all out, but for the rest of you, know that simplicity with one’s decor and menu are always welcome friends.
I desire time to pull up a chair and enjoy the ladies around me, to hear them share their stories. My days leading up to (in)RL are packed, so I don’t have the option to spend my weeks overwhelmed with the details, thereby rendering me exhausted by the time the first guest arrives.
This festive featured tablescape took no more than 15 minutes to put together and I am fairly certain that included grabbing my favorite turquoise spray paint, quickly tying all my mismatched brass candle sticks, platter and varying accessories together with one painting swoop to create a color theme, as well as creating a decorative napkin fold with my yard sale linens.
By pairing some of the new Daily Grace line with my thrifted chargers, glasses and cloth napkins, I’ve created an incredibly easy and doable, decorative table in minutes.
But my best party 15-minute planning tip must stay a secret between you and me. Did you notice my colorful “table runner?” It’s wrapping paper. It sure is! No one would ever know and it’s been my go to trick for dozens of events over the last few years.
When asked to decorate an entire school cafeteria for a football banquet, two days notice and no budget, I shopped multiple thrift stores for anything resembling white tablecloths and that primarily included white sheets and white cloth curtains. I found enough to cover the tables and then created runners out of their school colors with wrapping paper and burlap.
Yes, the Lord cares about our simplest of details like decorations on a budget. He definitely gave me that divine inspiration and I have been using that trick ever since.
Since food is a key component to any gathering, and I’m continually asked for menu suggestions, let’s make it simple, yet delicious.
Perfect for (in)RL or our upcoming Easter celebration, these festive brunch recipe ideas all make regular appearances at our large gatherings, so I guarantee they’ve been tested and approved x 50.
Simple Festive Brunch Ideas
- Elegant Egg Bake: No one will ever believe this most requested recipe came together in five minutes.
- Copy Cat Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole: Comfort food at its finest
- Overnight Rise Cinnamon Rolls, Overnight Cinnamon Pecan Coffee Cake or Strawberry Stuffed French Toast (These do the work while you sleep)
- Easy Cream Cheese Danish
- Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle (Always beautiful when served in a glass bowl, yet whips up in minutes.)
- Simple Fruit Salad and Fresh Veggies
If you choose to tie Easter brunch into your celebration, the Resurrection Rolls or Joy Filled Jelly Bean Garden combines a rich significance into food traditions, something that makes lasting memories.
Hopefully, you’ll be inspired with some of my simple and doable ideas and gather some of your friends together.
I’m so excited to host an (in)RL brunch at our homestead, and I hope you will join us as we come together in corners of community around the world on April 26. (For more information about (in)RL, click here!)
Hospitality is close to my heart and I would love to invite you share some of your most significant memories of hospitality.
How has hospitality been shown or modeled for you? Are there specific markers that stand out as examples?
I am fairly certain it had nothing to do with a grandiose setting or a 16 course meal, but most likely those included in the time together. The comments are open for you to share.
1 Peter 4:9 – “Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay for the night.”
Author: Jen from Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and host of the Becoming Conference.
Leave a Comment
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Jen,
I love the idea that my home is not my own and that I am a steward of what God has given to me and my self-question should be, “How can I use it for God’s glory?” And wrapping paper for a table runner – great idea! I try to focus on hospitality and not “entertaining”. That way the focus is on my guest(s) and not on what I’ve tried to prepare or do. Conversation and communication are the things I remember about being shown true hospitality. Thanks for a great post – looking forward to our (in)RL gathering!
Blessings,
Bev
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
The ladies at your (in)rl gathering will be blessed to meet you – the consummate encourager. 🙂
One of my blog post drafts is that exact title – hospitality vs entertaining with exactly that focus. We get caught up in the entertaining side, which focuses all on ourselves, and forget that it’s about welcoming others into our story. 🙂
Sarah S says
My favorite… remember…small is the new big. Love this! I have recently been through an amazing about face… stop and let God restart my life. Small is the new big. My husband is the head of my family. And walking in God’s will sometimes means love stays home. Being still and knowing God is in control makes a world of difference. May God bless your times of sharing and simple hospitality.
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
oh Sarah – about faces can be so hard, but so good. It sounds like the Lord is using this time to imprint on your heart that small is the new big. I will pray for your journey.
Thank you for your sweet words.
Wendy says
I want that for my daughters too and I need to stop and remember that when I am frantically getting ready.
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
I am with you. They learn and glean from our modeling but too often, they see the other side of my hospitality – the frantic side and I never want them to see opening ones home as “work,” but joy.
Sandy says
Thank you for this. It is the simple that is important. We get lost in the other things too often and God spoke to me this morning as I was reading this reminder.
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
Thank you, Sandy. I need the same reminder OFTEN! 🙂
karyn says
We will be on a two week vacation …..
🙂
Travelling around ………
🙂
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
Now that sounds like a blast!! Have a wonderful time! 🙂
Beth Bishop says
Hospitality is in my genes but I had to learn a big lesson first. When my husband was a new officer in the Air Force, we were in a Bible study with other military couples. All the men were senior officers with bigger homes, fancy décor and mementos from exotic places. We rotated homes but when it was our turn I was terrified at the thought of having these lovely women in my simple little townhouse with the old blue couch the baby had spit up on a thousand times! As time for their arrival approached, everything was ready and the food was tasty but I was nearly breathless with nerves. I just knew one refined lady in particular would take one look and leave. Well, God showed me a thing or two! She walked in the door and gasped over a Boston fern I had perched on a cream can by the window. Couldn’t get over how pretty it looked and asked my secret to keeping it so healthy. If she ever looked at those stains on the couch I didn’t see it. God taught me that night that it’s the followship of His people and heart of the host that counts the most.
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
Oh, don’t you just love women like that who put you completely at ease? I just love how the Lord is gentle with those lessons. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Renae Williford says
So bright and inviting. Now I’m hungry! 🙂
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam) says
Come on over, Renae!! There’s more. 🙂
Anna Rendell says
Loved this, Jen! Beautiful words about the heart of hospitality, and great recipes to boot =)
Beth WIlliams says
I will try out some of the recipes you mentioned. Joining in(RL) but not a community group. Just to busy with work and life. Plus living so far from most people I know.
I enjoyed last year’s event and look forward to this years as well.
Cynthia McGarity says
Love all of this but especially this line…:”Whether I’ve lived in a rented one room apartment or a homestead in the country, I am merrily stewarding this gift that God has graciously given, so how can I not use it for His glory?” As a recovering perfectionist, I love the reminder that wherever…whenever…whatever…poor or rich…simple or grand…no matter the style or circumstance, as long as we’re doing it for His glory, it’s BEAUTIFUL. You rock, Jen. Thanks! (Oh, and P.S. the wrapping paper runners?!?! Genius!)