Recently I heard someone say that in this day and age, it takes a conscious effort to have company. At the time, I didn’t like that thought. I would like company to be spontaneous and effortless. It just happens. I resist the idea that life is busier now, too busy to have company. The fact remains that we deal with a lot more moving parts in our lives now than we experienced as children, or even than our parents dealt with. To have the time and mental space and physical energy to prepare a meal for guests really seems to take intentional choices. I am in the process of learning this.

Along the way, and over several years, these different books have all inspired me. A few of them take a secular, practical approach; most of them use Biblical references as to why this is important. All of them claim inviting others into our homes and serving food is a superior way to build connection.

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

Acts 2:46 NIV

The Inviting Life by Laurie Calder. 2017. 344 pages. An inspirational guide to homemaking, hosting and opening the door to happiness. This book takes a completely secular view of hospitality. But I loved her description of the Sunday roast and her reasons why we should never let this tradition go. She includes several variations so you never need to get bored with it.

The Reluctant Entertainer by Sandy Coughlin.2010. 160 pages. Every woman’s guide to simple and gracious hospitality. Some quotes from the book; “Don’t try to be a hostess you are not. You want to be gracious and {hospitality} should feel natural.” True hospitality has more to do with creating the right mood than the perfect pie crust.”

Simple Gatherings by Melissa Michaels. 2017. 124 pages. 50 ways to inspire connection. This little book is chock full of easy ideas to inspire your hospitality. Ms. Michaels brings our attention to the atmosphere, the food, the conversation and finishes off with special touches. She includes menus and ideas for four different types of gatherings.

The Turquoise Table by Kristin Schell. 2017. 203 pages. This author tells how when they moved to a new house, the original owner asked them to keep alive the neighborhood annual Memorial Day party. She promised without thinking much about it. But the event sparked many thoughts about meals together. She bought a picnic table, painted it turquoise and set it in their front yard, to be ready for any meal that might be needed in their community.

The Life-Giving Table by Sally Clarkson. 2017. 251 pages. Nurturing faith through feasting one meal at a time. This book is a detailed examination of all the ways serving food to others can benefit our connections with them. It goes from the vision of why it matters to family time, to one on one, to holidays and milestones. I get this book out often to make the recipe on page 85 – Boys Favorite Blueberry Crumble Muffins.

Welcome Home by Myquillan Smith. 2020. 205 pages. A cozy minimalist guide to decorating and hosting all year round. I do love the pictures in this book. The author simplifies hosting to three things: the mood, the food and the people. These are further broken down to: decorate three spaces, make three foods, and people represents your guests, yourself and your family. Makes it easy to remember. The book is organized around the seasons, which just feels in tune with nature.

Reach Out, Gather In by Karen Ehman. 2020. 244 pages. 40 days to opening your heart and home. This book includes chapters about the why of hospitality, being hospitable to our family, loving and refreshing others, and finding your particular niche in all this. It includes questions and pages for writing your answers. And a good collection of recipes for your consideration.

Extraordinary Hospitality for Ordinary Christians by Victoria Duerstock. This book explains how being hospitable is a way to follow God’s plan for serving others and helping them see Christ. The pictures of her home (I presume, it’s her home) seemed unrealistically perfect. It did detract a bit from my enjoyment. Yet I learned some things, too: To be hospitable we need to be intentional with our resources (time, energy, talents and money). Also: Life will pressure us to get more done, to be perfect. But if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing badly, and learning as you go. You are blessed to be a blessing.

A Meal with Jesus by Tim Chester. 2011. 138 pages. In the gospels, Jesus was often going to, at, or coming from a meal with others. Sometimes he acted as host, other times he was a guest. This book explores the possible meanings in the meals Jesus took part in, and how we can follow his example. This author says we should use hospitality to reach marginalized and seeking people.

Although my attempts at hospitality don’t look exactly like any of these authors’, I am thankful for their encouragements and convictions that have motivated me to invite company over!

-Liz

For more inspiration:

A Few of Our Favorite Soups

Table Service

The Life Giving Table

Welcome Home