Thursday, December 11, 2008

Welcome friends!



This is the welcome sign that hangs outside by our front door. Its job is to officially welcome guests and visitors before we can get to the door. You probably have one too, don't you?

At this time of year, all of us tend to do a lot of "welcoming". We entertain family and friends, maybe also a few neighbors, coworkers, etc.

However, when we already have so much on our plate, showing hospitality isn't always something we look forward to. It often takes a lot of our time, effort and money, but it doesn't have to.

It can be as simple as having a few friends over to play board games and calling for pizza. Or, how about going for a walk with family and friends in the neighborhood to see all the beautiful decorations and having them over afterwards for hot chocolate and a Christmas movie?

Sharing special moments with others by welcoming them to our home is something we are all called to do. In fact, God's Word tells us we must do it with a cheerful heart.

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9

Now that's to the point! Notice that the command is simply to "be hospitable". Nowhere does it say that we must try to outdo ourselves or Martha Stewart for that matter. It really can be simple and fun.

May the hospitality we'll all soon practice be a time of rejoicing and blessing for all of our guests as well as ourselves. :)

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2

29 comments:

Theresa said...

Great post and so true!

Thank you for your birthday wishes and for visiting me on my blog. It's always nice to make new friends.
-Theresa

Nanette said...

Hi Melody,
Very nice thought today. Your welcome sign is very inviting. Brings back thoughts of a happy time when my husband and I visited Hawaii! (Did you know that a pineapple grows on top of a pineapple bush? I did not know that before going to Hawaii, ha)
Valerie

Mandi said...

I love this post! It is so true. It's not about the presentation, it's about the joy of being with those you love.

Carol said...

Hi Melody!
I'm so glad you posted the scripture verses to help us during this time of entertaining. Your posts are a real blessing to me!
Smiles,
Carol

Anonymous said...

Your blog is always so soothing to me when I read it. I need to move this up to the top of my reading list!!

:)

SarahHub said...

I love these ideas! I always feel like having company has to be a big production. After reading this, I may just have the neighbors over to see the Christmas lights and eat cookies!

Anonymous said...

This is such a good reminder. God's Word sure does have answers to everything...doesn't it?!? What a relief!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, I appreciated your comment!

Stacey said...

What a perfect post for the season..or anytime. We have friends that we eat with all the time. I usually go to a lot of trouble. Recently, I invited them over but ordered pizza. They loved it and boy was it easy!!

Serah said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! I love that pineapple welcome sign.

Merry Christmas!

Linda said...

A beautiful post. We have a welcome sign my Dad made - he's made them for every one of us. It is two beautiful swans facing each other with the words of welcome between them.

Gretchen said...

Super reminder. Thank you.

Lib said...

Hi,
A great Post!
I always try to do things the simple way, saves so much stress!
Have a great wk.
Blessins',Lib

Susan said...

What wonderful ideas. I hope to try them all.
Have a wonderful week.
Susan

azahar said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Nicole said...

THis post is so timely! I JUST posted about my dinner party tonight and I talked about this very thing. Hope you'll have a chance to read it... we must be on the same "wavelength". :)

Blessings!

Julie said...

Oh! I just love that verse -- there have been a few times that my husband and I have thought that we've actually "entertained" HIS angels. It leaves you with such a warm smile, inside. You know what I mean?

Great post!
Merry Christmas,
Julie

April said...

Thank you so much for dropping by my blog today...you are welcome back anytime you like! I, also, appreciate your kind words. I just try to be the best mom I possibly can be to my girls...sometimes, I succeed; other times, I'm not too sure.

I really enjoyed reading your post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts...I couldn't agree more. Have a wonderfu day!

Toby Parsons said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! :)

I love yours, and I love your comments regarding hospitality. What you refer to as simple and fun, I call it very it very imformal. :)

I scrolled down and your tea room is so beautiful! Our youngest daughter hosts an annual tea party every year on the last Saturday before Valentine's Day. Next party will be her 8th year I think?

Merry Christmas to you! :)

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

This is just what I needed to hear today. We had invited friends for dinner, and then thought, "oh, let's just go to a restaurant instead." I think I'm getting too hung up on being Martha Stewart, like you said. So this settles it: We're having dinner tonight, here at home, with friends. I'll make something SIMPLE.
So are you busy tonight? You're welcome to join us. :0)
- A northwest Iowa reader

Momzoo said...

Good thought and so true, it is the spirit of the house that makes guests feel comfortable, not the lastest and greatest in entertaining.

Susan B said...

Thank you for the great reminder! I often stress when having people over, although I know having things simpler makes it so much easier! Serving with a "cheerful heart" is so important, something I need to remember. I love the sign by your front door.

Raise Them Up said...

Thank you for your encouragement!

I'm learning that your preparations don't have to be perfect, and you don't have to be gifted in hospitality, to extend an invitation.

In fact, when a friend or guest feels free to root in your cabinets for something you forgot, that's when we enjoy ourselves the most!

Tea Time With Melody said...

Hi Melody, your post is very true. Do you remember years ago when people went door to door singing Christmas Carols? I always enjoyed how they reached out to all of us to bring the Christmas spirit!

Carol said...

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog. I love your Tea Room, seems like we have a lot of the same favorite things.

I have to say when it's not 11:30 at night and I'm blogging in the dark, I will be back to check out some of those yummy recipes.

By the way thanks for the reminder that hospitality doesn't have to be a great big party event, but just time with friends.

See you again :) Carol

Deborah said...

Hi Melody,
Thank you for this post. I've just recently entered into the world of hosting people in my home--never had the space or inclination before--and I find myself feeling like I have to go all-out each time we invite people over. It's so stressful! This post has helped me calm it down some and commit to enjoying my hostessing experiences rather than turning them into exhausting and stressful times.

RN and OSHP said...

Thanks for the sweet comments on my blog! I love your welcome sign. We are big fans of the pineapple at my house! Although, like you I am not always overly excited about being hopitable when I think of the work it takes!

Laurie in Ca. said...

Hi Melody,

Thank you so much for visiting my new and unorganized blog. I really can relate to your post here today as I have been guilty of being busy hostess, missing the conversations around the house, and then after hugging the guests goodbye, colapse and wonder what is going on in everyones lives. I think that was the biggest reason for the gathering in the first place. I have been trying to keep it more simple in the past few years and plan on simplifying even more this year. I will be back to visit again soon. Have a great weekend.

Laurie

LisaShaw said...

Melody,

First visit! I will return. Your message reminds me of Romans 12:13"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

Bless you.
Lisa

Mary@notbefore7 said...

What a GREAT reminder! And a nice reminder to you each time you come in your front door!