Biblical Hospitality Part 4
Keeping Hospitality Simple: 7 Ways to Welcome Others Without the Stress
“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” —1 Peter 4:9
I wish I could tell you that I have always practiced hospitality without grumbling, but I cannot!
In this week’s Coffee Chats with Diane Nix, Dianne Dougharty and I talked honestly about the pressure we sometimes place on ourselves when opening our homes. We want everything to be clean, beautiful, homemade, and memorable. Before long, hospitality becomes stressful instead of joyful.
Dianne shared how convicted she felt when her daughters heard her grumbling before guests arrived. Then, the moment the door opened, she greeted everyone with a cheerful, “Welcome! We’re so glad you’re here!”
Can you relate?
Our families see the stress behind the welcome. That is why planning ahead, keeping things simple, and preparing our hearts are so important.
When Hospitality Becomes Too Much
I have always loved having people in my home. For years, I invited our entire church to a Christmas open house. Sometimes several hundred people came through our home over three or four days!
But if I am honest, my family did not always experience the joy of those gatherings. At times, I took on more than I needed to and let the stress affect everyone around me.
I eventually learned to let church members bring their favorite holiday appetizer, candy, or dessert. It lightened my workload and helped our guests feel that they were contributing something special.
Some even brought their food on serving dishes they left as gifts. Several of those dishes survived Hurricane Katrina because they were still packed away. Today, when I use them, they remind me of precious people and meaningful seasons of ministry.
Hospitality is not about doing everything ourselves. It is about making room for people.
Praying for us as we keep it simple and love those who god sends our way!
Seven Ways to Keep Hospitality Simple
1. Set reasonable cleaning goals
Clean the areas your guests will actually use. This is not the time to organize the garage, empty every closet, or begin a major home project.
A welcoming gathering area and a clean bathroom are far more important than a perfect house.
2. Keep the menu familiar
Do not try a complicated new recipe just before guests arrive. Dianne once served a new spinach lasagna to a young man who loved food. When he took one bite and would not eat it, everyone knew the recipe had not been a success!
Choose dishes you have made before and know your guests will enjoy.
3. Choose an easy, make-ahead entrée
A roast, baked ziti, marinated chicken, or hamburgers can feed people without keeping you in the kitchen all evening.
Whenever possible, choose an entrée you can assemble a day or two ahead. Let your refrigerator, freezer, or slow cooker help carry the load.
4. Simplify the side dishes
A bagged salad and prepared bread may be all you need. Bread can be sliced, buttered, wrapped in foil, and frozen ahead of time.
Your side dishes do not have to compete with the main course—or for your attention.
5. Limit the drinks
You do not need to offer every variety of soft drink. Water and tea are often enough. If you serve soft drinks, mini cans can reduce cost and waste.
Keeping the choices limited is not poor hospitality. It is good stewardship.
6. Make dessert easy
Dessert does not have to be made from scratch. Keep brownies or cookies in the freezer, prepare a simple trifle the day before, or serve warm cookies with a scoop of good ice cream.
At our Refresh Retreats, I sometimes bake refrigerated cookie dough as the women arrive. The smell of warm cookies immediately communicates, “Welcome home.”
Just remember to set a timer while greeting everyone!
7. Decorate with what you have
Look around your home and yard before spending money. Greenery, flowers, books, garden pieces, simple containers, and inexpensive scrapbook paper can create a beautiful table.
Dianne shared how a friend used a garden bunny, moss from the yard, a library book about Peter Rabbit, and discounted flowers to create an adorable baby-shower centerpiece.
Beauty does not have to be expensive.
A Bonus Tip: Let Others Contribute
When guests ask, “What can I bring?” it is perfectly acceptable to give them an answer.
Let someone bring drinks, bread, a side dish, or dessert. Their contribution lightens your load and helps them feel part of the gathering. Hospitality can be shared.
Most importantly, spend time with Jesus before you begin preparing. Pray over your home, your attitude, and every person who will enter your door. Ask the Holy Spirit to replace stress and grumbling with peace and genuine love.
Your home does not need to be perfect. Your meal does not need to be impressive. Your guests simply need to know they are welcomed and loved.
Our goal is to bless others—not impress them.
Listen to this week’s Coffee Chats with Diane Nix for the complete conversation with Dianne Dougharty and more practical encouragement for practicing biblical hospitality.
